BANGUI – As citizens of the Central African Republic head to the polls this Sunday, they are tasked with choosing a new president and federal lawmakers. Current President Faustin Archange Touadera is widely expected to secure a third term, having attempted to bring stability to the nation with the backing of Russian mercenaries.

Known as one of Russia’s closest allies on the African continent, Touadera’s potential third term could further entrench Moscow’s security and economic presence in the country, despite increasing international scrutiny over the actions of Russian mercenaries in Africa.

The Central African Republic was among the pioneers in Africa to embrace Russian-supported forces, as Moscow aimed to bolster the government against militant groups. However, this year has seen rising tensions due to Russia’s push to replace the private Wagner Group with its own military contingent, the Africa Corps.

Approximately 2.4 million individuals are registered to participate in Sunday’s elections, which are not only presidential and legislative but also regional and local—the latter taking place for the first time in several decades.

President Touadera faces competition from six challengers, including notable opposition figures such as Anicet-Georges Dologuele and Henri-Marie Dondra, both of whom have served as prime ministers.

Despite the opposition, experts believe Touadera is poised to win, having solidified his grip on governmental institutions over recent years.

Backed by Russia, he has hinged his campaign on efforts to achieve peace, stability and economic recovery in the country of about 5.5 million people, long battered by conflict.

The landlocked country of about 5.5 million people has been plagued by fighting between pro-government forces and armed groups, particularly since 2013 when predominantly Muslim rebels seized power and forced then President François Bozizé from office. A 2019 peace deal only partially lessened the fighting, and six of the 14 armed groups that signed it later withdrew from the agreement.

“Our country has suffered greatly from brutal regime changes, a cycle that repeats itself every ten years. I call on the people of the Central African Republic to choose the stability of institutions and a prosperous Central African Republic,” Touadera told The Associated Press in a recent interview.

Touadera’s closest challenger is believed to be Dologuele, a candidate in the 2016 and 2020 elections who has promised in his campaigns to “restore a damaged Central African Republic.” His priorities include sustained peace and economic recovery based on agriculture and other key sectors.

“President Touadéra destroyed everything. Our programme is a solid summary to get the country out of poverty. What country is this that produces nothing and exports almost nothing, except beer? We must revive the economy,” he said in a recent interview.

Analysts say the most important factor for voters is the country’s security situation.

The United Nations peacekeeping mission, MINUSCA, has been present in the country since 2014. It currently has around 14,000 military personnel and 3,000 police members who will help guard election sites.

“Because of the peace deals, United Nations peacekeeping efforts and security support from Wagner and from the Rwandans, the country is in a more secure place than it was during the last electoral cycle in 2020,” according to Lewis Mudge, the Central Africa director at Human Rights Watch.