Central African Republic leader aims for term 3

Faustin-Archange Touadera, the discrete technocrat leader of the Central African Republic (CAR) who came into power in 2016 during a civil war, is the favourite to win a third mandate in Sunday's presidential polls.

- Bangui

FAVOURITE: Faustin-Archange Touadera, centre, president of the Central African Republic and United Hearts Movement presidential candidate at a recent rally. Picture: AFP

(AFP)

Touadera, 68, a former prime minister with an academic background, is branded by his critics as “President Wagner” - referring to his dependence on Moscow and the Russian paramilitaries of that name.

Since a change in the country’s constitution in July 2023 that abolished the two-term limit for presidents and extended their mandate from five to seven years, Touadera has sought to extend his rule and faces accusations of wanting to be “president for life”.