The Central African Republic’s Constitutional Council confirmed earlier this week that President Faustin-Archange Touadéra officially won last month’s election.
Announced on Monday, the council said 77.9% of the popular vote went to Touadéra. The runner-up, Anicet Georges Dologuélé, reportedly received 13.1%.
The figures differ slightly from initial results.
Earlier reports said 76.15% of votes went to the incumbent president, while 14.66% went to Dologuélé. About 3% went to former Prime Minister Henri-Marie Dondra.
The council also rejected Dologuélé’s appeal to annul the election. Earlier this month, the candidate alleged fraud in the results and declared himself the election’s rightful winner.
Touadéra has previously faced accusations of political manipulation after introducing a 2023 constitution that removed presidential term limits, allowing him to seek more than the previously permitted two terms.
January 14, I took part in #AbuDhabi Sustainability Week, sharing #CAR’s vision for energy and sustainable development. We highlighted our strong partnership with the #UAE and advanced discussions on the 65MW solar project in Bangui. Together, we are turning vision into action. pic.twitter.com/axNLAwlm0u
— Faustin-Archange Touadéra (@FA_Touadera) January 20, 2026
Before the announcement, both Dologuélé and Dondra held separate events questioning the accuracy of the election results and alleging fraud. Dondra, however, did not file an appeal.
The main opposition coalition, the Republican Bloc for the Defense of the Constitution, or BRDC, initially boycotted the election, saying a fair vote was unlikely.
With its latest announcement, the government denied that fraud occurred in the presidential race.
In a statement, Dologuélé spokesperson Yves Sanghamy said the opposition would not dispute the results but would continue its political fight.
“Our fight has never been one of disorder,” Sanghamy said, speaking for the Union for Central African Renewal, according to The Associated Press. “It is about electoral truth, the sovereignty of the people and respect for democratic rules.”
Set to begin his third term in 10 years, Touadéra’s presidency has been divisive.
Along with infrastructure projects and efforts to adopt bitcoin, Touadéra has been credited with addressing security concerns. Running on a platform focused on combating armed groups, the 68-year-old mathematician has signed multiple peace deals with rebel factions. Since gaining independence in 1960, the country has experienced repeated unrest.
As recently as 2020, civilians were caught in clashes between government forces and the Coalition of Patriots for Change, a rebel alliance formed in support of former President François Bozizé and opposed to the current administration. The coalition has been accused of violating international humanitarian law and of links to sexual violence, including sexual enslavement, according to the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect. Other affiliated groups have been linked to the use of explosive devices and civilian kidnappings.
Le Président de la Commission de l’Union africaine, Son Excellence Mahmoud Ali Youssouf adresse ses chaleureuses félicitations à Son Excellence Faustin-Archange Touadéra Président de la République Centrafricaine à l’occasion de sa réélection à la magistrature suprême.
— African Union (@_AfricanUnion) January 19, 2026
Le… pic.twitter.com/WiQ9z1jFtg
Touadéra has signed multiple peace agreements with members of the coalition. Most recently, the rebel group MPC said it would rejoin a 2019 peace deal. In April, the armed groups Return, Reclamation and Rehabilitation and the Union for Peace in the Central African Republic also signed agreements.
While Touadéra is credited with reducing violence, officials warn that armed groups continue to pose security threats. Fighting between the Azande Ani Kpi Gbe militia and the Central African Armed Forces has intensified, resulting in multiple civilian deaths. The militia has also been accused of rape, torture and kidnappings targeting Fulani, Muslim and Sudanese asylum seekers.
To bolster security, Touadéra enlisted Russian mercenaries and Rwandan troops. Critics note that Human Rights Watch has accused Russian mercenaries of abuses, including executions and torture, and have raised concerns about the financial cost of their presence.
In 2023, the Africa Center for Strategic Studies reported that Russia received more than $2.5 billion in African gold in exchange for deploying mercenaries to the Central African Republic, Mali and Sudan. Following Touadéra’s reelection, ties with Moscow are expected to deepen, particularly in gold and diamond mining.
In September, however, Touadéra said the government may expand partnerships with Western nations to develop the country’s lithium, uranium and gold resources.
