Faustin-Archange Touadera has begun his third term as president of the Central African Republic, pledging to strengthen security and national unity in a country long plagued by instability and poverty. The inauguration on Monday drew some 20,000 spectators to a stadium in the capital, Bangui, and was attended by regional leaders including Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye, who holds the African Union’s rotating chairmanship, as well as the presidents of Congo, Gabon, and the Comoros.
Touadera, a 68-year-old mathematician who has held office since 2016, secured re-election in December with 77.9 percent of the vote. His main challenger, Anicet George Dologuele, alleged widespread fraud, though the results stood. The president’s reliance on the Russian private military company Wagner has drawn both criticism and the nickname “President Wagner,” as the mercenaries provide security support against rebel groups while gaining access to lucrative gold, diamond, and logging contracts.
Since the CAR gained independence in 1960, France maintained a strong influence in the country, but its presence has gradually waned as Russia has strengthened ties with Bangui. President Emmanuel Macron and Touadera relaunched diplomatic relations in 2024 after tensions over Moscow’s role, reflecting the shifting geopolitical landscape.
In his inaugural speech, Touadera emphasized his commitment to consolidating peace, security, reconciliation, and national unity. The country’s new constitution, passed via referendum in 2023, enabled him to run for a third consecutive term, allowing him to continue his efforts amid the CAR’s enduring challenges.
