The fallout from the Central African Republic’s presidential election intensified on Wednesday as the main opposition challenger dismissed the provisional outcome. He accused electoral authorities of engineering the result, even as President Faustin Archange Touadéra highlighted his growing ties with Russia and confirmed he had invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit.
Anicet Georges Dologuélé, who placed second in Sunday’s election, said figures released by the National Elections Authority did not reflect ballots cast across the country. He alleged that a significant portion of the results had been excluded from the final tally announced so far.
“We all know that more than half of the results have not been taken into account,” Dologuélé said. “All the figures announced by the president of the National Elections Authority are very far from the truth.” He did not provide evidence to support the claim.
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According to provisional data, Touadéra secured 76.1% of the vote, clearing the way for a third term, while Dologuélé was credited with 14.6%.
Touadéra’s camp swiftly rejected the accusations. Presidential spokesperson Evariste Ngamana said the opposition candidate was refusing to accept defeat and insisted the vote had not been manipulated.
The final certified results are due on Jan. 20. Much of the opposition stayed away from the polls after a controversial referendum scrapped presidential term limits, a move that reshaped the political landscape ahead of the election.
Another challenger, former prime minister Henri Marie Dondra, who garnered 3.19% of the vote, also called for the ballot to be annulled, citing alleged fraud and breaches of electoral law, according to AP’s report.
The dispute occurs amid the Central African Republic’s deepening security partnership with Russia. The country, plagued for years by armed groups, has relied on Russia-backed forces for protection. The Wagner mercenary group has played a central role in safeguarding Touadéra, though relations with Russia have reportedly cooled after Russia pushed for Wagner’s replacement by its African Corps military unit.
In comments carried by Russian state news agency TASS on Tuesday, Touadéra spoke warmly of Putin and confirmed he had extended an invitation for a visit, though the timing of the offer remains unclear.
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“I consider him one of the most outstanding political figures in the world and a truly great leader for the entire global community,” Touadéra said.
