Bangui, January 6, 2026 — Incumbent President Faustin-Archange Touadéra has won a third term in office, according to provisional results announced by the National Elections Authority (ANE) on Monday, January 5, 2026. Touadéra, candidate of the United Hearts Movement (MCU), secured 76.15% of the vote in the presidential election held on December 28, 2025, avoiding a runoff and extending his decade-long rule in the conflict-prone nation.
The ANE's top official, Mathias Morouba, declared the results late Monday night, stating that Touadéra was "provisionally elected" with an absolute majority. Former Prime Minister Anicet-Georges Dologuélé came second with 14.66%, while another former Prime Minister, Henri-Marie Dondra, received 3.19%. Voter turnout stood at 52.42%, with approximately 2.4 million registered voters participating in the simultaneous presidential, legislative, regional, and municipal elections—a first in the country's history.
Touadéra, a 68-year-old former mathematician and prime minister, first came to power in 2016 following a transitional period after a civil war that began in 2013. He was re-elected in 2020 with 53.16% in a controversial first-round vote marred by rebel attacks that prevented voting in large areas. This time, campaigning emphasized security improvements, including peace accords signed with several rebel groups in 2025 and assistance from Russian mercenaries (formerly Wagner Group, now African Corps) and Rwandan troops.
The election enabled Touadéra's third-term bid after a contentious 2023 constitutional referendum that abolished presidential term limits and extended terms from five to seven years. The referendum, approved with over 95% support amid low turnout and an opposition boycott, drew international criticism for restricting political space and concerns over ballot secrecy.
The main opposition coalition, the Republican Bloc for the Defense of the Constitution (BRDC), boycotted the 2025 vote, citing an "unequal political environment" and lack of transparency. Despite the boycott, six opposition candidates contested, led by Dologuélé and Dondra, who survived attempts by Touadéra supporters to disqualify them over alleged foreign citizenship.
Allegations of fraud surfaced quickly. Dologuélé, runner-up in both 2016 and 2020 elections, claimed a "methodical attempt to manipulate" results and proclaimed himself the true winner days before official announcements. Both he and Dondra held press conferences denouncing irregularities. Touadéra's government firmly denied any fraud, highlighting a smoother process compared to 2020, with no major disruptions reported on polling day.
Touadéra reacted to the provisional results on social media, thanking voters: "With 76.15 percent of the vote obtained in the first round... your determination deserves to be commended. Together, we will continue the work." His victory is expected to deepen Russia's influence in the resource-rich but impoverished nation, where Moscow has exchanged security support for access to gold, diamonds, lithium, and uranium.
Analysts describe the outcome as consolidating Touadéra's grip on state institutions amid fragile security gains. While rebel threats have diminished in parts of the country, eastern regions face incursions from Sudan, and full disarmament remains incomplete. Touadéra has recently signaled openness to Western partnerships for mineral development, potentially diversifying alliances.
The Constitutional Court must now validate the results and address any disputes, a process that could influence final legitimacy. International observers note improved stability allowing broader voting access, but persistent concerns over democratic backsliding in one of Africa's most unstable nations since independence in 1960.
This election marks a significant milestone as the first simultaneous multi-tier vote, though challenges like funding shortages and security limited full inclusivity in remote areas. As Touadéra prepares for another seven-year term, attention turns to implementing peace deals and addressing chronic poverty affecting most of the 5.5 million population.
