Central African Republic’s constitutional court has cleared President Faustin Archange Touadera to run in the 28 December election, a vote set to take place amid continuing conflict and growing friction over Russia’s military role in the country.
The court on Friday approved Touadera’s candidacy along with opposition leader Anicet Georges Dologuélé and five others, rejecting a petition that sought to disqualify the president on eligibility grounds.
Touadera, in power since 2016, has relied heavily on Russian support, including the Wagner mercenary group, which has protected his government and helped repel rebel advances.
AP has reported that relations with Moscow have become strained. Russian officials have pushed Bangui to replace Wagner with the state-run Africa Corps and to begin paying cash for security services.
Central African authorities have resisted, arguing that Wagner is more effective and that mineral-for-services agreements are preferable.
The country has faced instability since 2013, when mainly Muslim rebels seized power. A 2019 peace deal has partly collapsed, and violence continues despite international mediation. Wagner fighters are credited with helping prevent rebels from retaking the capital in 2021.
The court’s decision came as the UN Security Council extended its peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic for another year.
[Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Faustin_Touadera_-_2019.jpg]