Name: Campaign constraints cloud Central African Republic elections
Uploaded: 2025-12-26T16:03:09.990Z
Duration: 2 min 53 s
Description: As the campaign draws to a close in the Central African Republic, opposition candidates are accusing those in power of seriously obstructing their electoral campaigns.

As the campaign draws to a close in the Central African Republic, opposition candidates are accusing those in power of seriously obstructing their electoral campaigns.

Bangui

As the Central African Republic approaches its elections, opposition candidates have accused the ruling authorities of obstructing their campaigns. Incidents cited include bans on rallies and prevention from traveling to present platforms, with opposition figures claiming these actions hinder fair democratic competition.

The ruling party, MCU, has rejected the allegations as unfounded and diversionary, pointing to visible opposition campaign materials in the capital. Analysts note that limited financial resources and poor connectivity further restrict opposition candidates' ability to reach rural voters, resulting in limited choices for the electorate.

Campaign constraints cloud Central African Republic elections

As campaigning draws to a close in the Central African Republic, opposition candidates are accusing those in power of seriously obstructing their electoral campaigns. While Georges Dologuelet says he was banned from holding a rally at the Boama Stadium, opposition figure and former Prime Minister Angus Manidondra claims he was prevented from boarding a plane to travel to the regions and present his platform. They told me that the plane had effectively been blocked by the presidential military. I was prevented from using an aircraft that I had already booked and for which I had already paid. For me, this is an obstruction, a blockage of my campaign. And in a democracy, this is something that should, in principle, be denounced. While opposition figures denounce what they describe as a violation of fair campaign rules by the presidential party, the MCU has responded, calling the accusations unfounded and a diversionary tactic. These are false accusations without any basis. Ask the opposition to provide proof regarding their alleged obstruction during the campaign. I invite you to walk around the city. You will see that the opposition has posted its campaign posters everywhere. No one stopped them. Secondly, when they claim they are being prevented from using planes to travel across the country, does the state own an airline? No. Does the government manage private airlines? No. This is a strategy of diversion to justify their failure, I say. This political analyst says the current situation appears challenging for an opposition that is struggling to mobilize and deploy campaign teams nationwide due to limited financial resources. There are more than 6,000 polling stations. It will be difficult for these candidates, given their resources, to each have 6,000 representatives at polling stations. And this is where the real contest will be decided. What's clear is that as candidates struggle to reach rural areas to present their platforms, voters will be faced with very limited choices. The candidates did not have the opportunity, unlike the incumbent president, to have aircrafts allowing them to campaign in major cities. As a result, their platforms are not well known in rural areas, especially given connectivity problems. Even if they campaign on social media, it is not easy because there are serious internet access issues in the countryside. What's clear is that as candidates struggle to reach rural areas to present their platforms, voters will be faced with very limited choices.

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