Overview
- The Dec. 28 ballot includes presidential, legislative, regional and municipal races, with provisional results for the presidency expected on Jan. 5.
- The Constitutional Court cleared main rivals Anicet-Georges Dologuele and Henri-Marie Dondra to run after challenges to their eligibility, while the BRDC opposition coalition is boycotting the vote.
- Security has improved in major cities with support from Rwanda, the U.N. mission and Russian Wagner personnel, yet violence persists in rural areas and rights groups report abuses by multiple actors.
- Relations with Moscow face strain over a proposed shift from Wagner to Russia’s Africa Corps as the government weighs costs and mineral-for-security arrangements.
- The election authority expects about 2.3 million registered voters, as analysts highlight the incumbent’s resource advantage and state apparatus leverage over divided opponents.