2015–16 Central African general election

none Central African Republic 2011 Central African general election 2011 2020–21 Central African general election 2020–21 yes Presidential election presidential 30 December 2015 (first round)14 February 2016 (second round) 62.54% (first round)59.01% (second round) Faustin Touadera.jpg Faustin-Archange Touadéra Independent politician 695,059 62.71% 013157 Anicet Georges Dologuele 2015 (cropped).jpg Anicet-Georges Dologuélé URCA 413,352 37.29% President Catherine Samba-Panza(Transitional Head of State) Independent politician Faustin-Archange Touadéra Independent politician 2015 Central African Republic presidential election runoff - Results by prefecture.svg Second round results by prefecture yes Legislative election 14 February 2016 (first round)31 March 2016 (second round) yes yes UNDP 13 new #357D29 URCA 13 new #013157 RDC 10 1 #FFE339 MPLC 9 1 #15A148 Kwa Na Kwa 7 61 orange PATRIE 4 new PGD 3 new RPR 3 new PARC 3 new CRPS 2 new MDD 2 2 #191970 PS 1 new UNADER 1 1 MNS 1 new PAD 1 3 PDSK 1 new PUN 1 0 #AFEEEE Independents 56 26 General elections were held in the Central African Republic on 30 December 2015 to elect the president and National Assembly. As no presidential candidate received more than 50% of the vote, and following the annulling of the results of the National Assembly elections by the Transitional Constitutional Court, a second round of the presidential elections and a re-run of the parliamentary elections were held on 14 February 2016, with second round run-offs for the parliamentary elections on 31 March.Centrafrique : Le corps électoral convoqué le 14 février pour le 1er tour des législatives et le second tour de la présidentielle https://web.archive.org/web/20170104145113/http://rjdh.org/centrafrique-le-corps-electoral-convoque-le-14-fevrier-pour-le-1er-tour-des-legislatives-et-le-second-tour-de-la-presidentielle/ 2017-01-04 (in French), RJDH, 28 January 2016New Central African president takes on a country in ruins https://web.archive.org/web/20170104144133/https://www.enca.com/africa/new-central-african-president-takes-country-ruins 2017-01-04 ENCA, 28 March 2016 The elections were delayed several times. The original elections were scheduled for 18 October, then postponed, whilst the second round of presidential elections was set for 31 January 2016.Crispin Dembassa-Kette, "Former Central African Republic PM leads in presidential vote", Reuters, 2 January 2016. Acting President Catherine Samba-Panza was not allowed to stand as a candidate."Can Catherine Samba-Panza save the Central African Republic?", The Guardian, 2 March 2014. Following the second round of presidential elections, former prime minister Faustin-Archange Touadéra was declared the winner with 63% of the vote, defeating Union for Central African Renewal candidate Anicet-Georges Dologuélé, another former prime minister.CAR presidential election: Faustin Touadera declared winner BBC News, 20 February 2016 Background Central African Republic conflict (2012–present) Central African Republic conflict under the Djotodia administration Despite the 25 August 2012 signing of a peace agreement between the government and the Convention of Patriots for Justice and Peace (CPJP) that promised closure of the Bush War,"Le CPJP, dernier groupe rebelle actif en Centrafrique, devient un parti politique" (in French), Radio France Internationale, 26 August 2015 fr. political violence continued in the eastern and central parts of the country. Then, on 10 December 2012, fighters from the Séléka rebel coalition seized the towns of N'Délé, Sam Ouandja and Ouadda. Following further battlefield successes through the month, the government called for support from former coloniser France and the United States. Though the offer was spurned, other central African states and South Africa sent in troops to secure the country and its capital, Bangui, from Séléka. On 11 January 2013, a ceasefire agreement was signed in Libreville, Gabon, between the government, Séléka and the political opposition. The agreement led to a dropping of the demand for President François Bozizé's resignation, but required that he appoint a new prime minister from the opposition.https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/12/world/africa/rebels-agree-to-cease-fire-in-central-african-republic.html?_r=0 Rebel Coalition in Central African Republic Agrees to a Short Cease-Fire Sayare Scott 11 January 2013 The New York Times 12 January 2013 The National Assembly of the Central African Republic was also dissolved within a week, with a year-long coalition government formed in its place and a new election called for within 12 months. The interim government would implement judicial reforms, amalgamate the rebel troops with government soldiers to establish a new national military, and introduce other social and economic reforms.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20990671 Central African Republic ceasefire signed BBC 11 January 2013 11 January 2013 The government was also required to free all political prisoners imprisoned during the conflict and that foreign troops must return to their countries of origin. Séléka was not required to give up the cities they had taken or were occupying in order to ensure that the government would not renege on the agreement. Following the ousting of Bozizé in March 2013, Michel Djotodia became president. In the ensuing months atrocities were committed by the Seleka and the newly formed Christian anti-balaka groups. Djotodia eventually left and the Mayor of Bangui, Catherine Samba-Panza, was made interim president. However, instability and sectarian violence continued in the lead up to the election. Candidates Kwa Na Kwa, the former ruling party loyal to Bozizé, announced on 10 August 2015 that Bozizé would return to the country and stand as a candidate in the October 2015 presidential election."Exiled Central African leader Bozizé to stand at election", Reuters, 10 August 2015. KNK Secretary-General Bertin Bea complained that the transitional authorities were trying to obstruct his bid, however. A few days later, Bea was arrested, purportedly for "inciting disorder" two months earlier."Head of ousted Central African leader's party arrested", Agence France-Presse, 15 August 2015. On 8 December 2015, the Constitutional Court announced the list of approved presidential candidacies. Bozizé's candidacy was among those rejected."Renewed unrest in C.Africa after presidential candidates announced" https://web.archive.org/web/20170726095234/https://www.yahoo.com/news/gunfire-c-africa-capital-presidential-candidates-announced-173334836.html 2017-07-26 , Agence France-Presse, 8 December 2015."Présidentielle en RCA: les soutiens de Bozizé accusent la France" (in French), Radio France Internationale, 9 December 2015 fr. Officially, he was excluded because he was not registered on the voter list and because he had agreed not to run again as part of the peace agreement in January 2013, two months before he was ousted. Gunfire was subsequently reported in parts of Bangui, as his supporters reacted angrily to the news. The KNK said that Bozizé's exclusion was "the result of internal and external pressure","Deposed former Central African Republic ruler Bozize barred from elections", Reuters, 8 December 2015. with many of his supporters alleging that the French government was involved in the decision. About 30 candidates were approved to run, including three former prime ministers (Anicet Georges Dologuélé, Martin Ziguélé, and Faustin Archange Touadéra) and three sons of former presidents (Désiré Kolingba, Sylvain Patassé, and Jean-Serge Bokassa)."Présidentielle: 28 candidats éligibles, le dossier de Bozizé rejeté" https://web.archive.org/web/20151210215224/http://www.journaldebangui.com/article.php?aid=8967 2015-12-10 , Journaldebangui.com, 8 December 2015 fr. Campaign Prior to the election, a constitutional referendum was held on 13–14 December 2015. Results announced on 21 December showed that the referendum passed with 93% support. On 22 December, the official campaigning period began. Presenting himself as a candidate of peace and inclusion, Anicet Georges Dologuélé declared that he had "never held a weapon" and said that Bozizé would be able to play some unspecified role in national affairs. On the same day, the KNK announced its support for Dologuélé."Campaign takes off in C. Africa as 30 vie for president", Agence France-Presse, 22 December 2015. On 24 December acting Prime Minister Mahamat Kamoun stated that the elections would be postponed to 30 December, to allow further preparations.Crispin Dembassa-Kette https://www.reuters.com/article/us-centralafrica-election-idUSKBN0U718820151224 Central African Republic postpones key elections for three days Reuters 24 December 2015 24 December 2015 Conduct The polls were characterized by insecurity, and many voters could not participate because of the dire security situation and were instead seeking refuge in other countries. The government failed to set up an absentee voting system. However, there were many irregularities, though fears of widespread violence were not realized and the African Union regarded the elections as successful.https://freedomhouse.org/country/central-african-republic/freedom-world/2020 Central African Republic: Freedom in the World 2020 Country Report Results President Results for Bangui, released on 2 January 2016, showed Faustin-Archange Touadéra placing first (30,999 votes), Anicet Georges Dologuélé placing second (28,162 votes), Désiré Kolingba placing third (25,055 votes), Jean-Serge Bokassa placing fourth (10,672 votes), and Martin Ziguélé placing fifth (9,946 votes). Although results from the rest of the country were not given at the time, overall turnout was placed at 72.2%. Further results released on 3 January, accounting for about 25% of all votes, showed Touadéra with about 23% of the vote (about 120,000 votes), far ahead of Dologuélé, in second place with about 68,500 votes."Ex-Bozize PM takes early lead in C.Africa presidential race", Agence France-Presse, 3 January 2016. By 6 January, results accounting for about 77% of votes showed Dologuélé in the lead with 259,211 votes, followed by Touadéra with 222,391 votes and all of the other candidates trailing far behind.Crispin Dembassa-Kette, "Central African Republic candidates now mostly support vote count: U.N.", Reuters, 6 January 2016. Provisional results announced by Marie-Madeleine Nkouet, the President of the National Election Authority, on 7 January 2016 showed Dologuélé in first place with 23.78% of the vote and Touadéra in second place with 19.42% of the vote. A second round of voting between Dologuélé and Touadéra was expected."No winner emerges in first round of Central African election", Reuters, 7 January 2016. The Transitional Constitutional Court approved the final results on 25 January, putting Dologuélé in first place with 23.74% of the vote and Touadéra second with 19.05%."Centrafrique: Dologuelé et Touadera au second tour de la présidentielle" https://web.archive.org/web/20170104144606/http://rjdh.org/centrafrique-dologuele-et-touadera-au-second-tour-de-la-presidentielle/ 2017-01-04 , RJDH, 25 January 2016 fr. The electoral commission announced on 20 February 2016 that Touadéra won the second round with 62.71% of the vote, defeating Dologuélé. Although Dologuélé alleged fraud, he nevertheless stated that "for the sake of peace" he accepted the official results, would not appeal, and "recognize[d] Faustin-Archange Touadéra as the leader of all Central Africans".Crispin Dembassa-Kette, "Ex-PM Touadera wins Central African Republic presidential vote", Reuters, 20 February 2016. The Constitutional Court validated the results and formally declared Touadéra to be elected as president on 1 March."Central African constitutional court confirms Touadera elected president", Reuters, 1 March 2016. Anicet-Georges Dologuélé Union for Central African Renewal 268952 413352 Faustin-Archange Touadéra Independent 215800 695059 Désiré Kolingba Central African Democratic Rally 136398 Martin Ziguélé Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People 129474 Jean-Serge Bokassa Independent 68705 Charles-Armel Doubane Independent 41095 Jean-Michel Mandaba Party for Democratic Governance 35458 Sylvain Patassé-Ngakoutou Central African New Momentum 31261 Abdou Karim Meckassoua Independent 31052 Gaston Mandata Nguérékata Party of the Central African Renaissance 22391 Jean-Barkès Ngombe-Ketté Independent 18949 Timoléon Baikoua Independent 17195 Fidèle Gouandjika Independent 15356 Théodore Kapou Independent 13295 Marcel Dimassé Socialist Party 8791 Guy Moskit National Solidarity Movement 8712 Jean Willybiro-Sako Independent 8535 Émile Gros Raymond Nakombo Independent 8001 Régina Konzi-Mongot Independent 6684 Xavier Sylvestre Yangongo Independent 6512 Cyriaque Gonda National Party for a New Central Africa 6440 Laurent Gomina-Pampali National Union for Democracy and Rally 5834 Constant Gouyomgbia Kongba Zézé Independent 5560 Joseph Yakété Forum for the Central African Rally 5547 Mathias Barthélemy Morouba Independent 5156 Théophile Sony Colé Syndical Union of Central African Workers 3784 Maxime Kazagui Alliance for a New Central Africa 2886 Jean-Baptiste Koba Independent 2010 Stanislas Moussa-Kembe Independent 1706 Olivier Gabirault Independent 1347 89370 44889 1954433 1954433 Afrique News Info, IFES National Assembly The second round of the parliamentary election was held on 31 March 2016. Provisional results in early April, combined with the already certified results from the first round in February, showed 17 parties winning seats, but none of them with more than 13 seats. Independent candidates won a total of 56 seats.Fridolin Ngoulou, "Centrafrique : Configuration de la future Assemblée Nationale" https://web.archive.org/web/20160703104447/http://rjdh.org/centrafrique-configuration-de-future-assemblee-nationale/ 2016-07-03 , RJDH, 9 April 2016 fr. National Union for Democracy and Progress 5 8 13 New Union for Central African Renewal 3 10 13 New Central African Democratic Rally 2 8 10 +9 Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People 3 6 9 8 National Convergence "Kwa Na Kwa" 3 4 7 –54 African Party for a Radical Transformation and Integration of the State 1 3 4 New Party for Democratic Governance 2 1 3 New Rally for the Republic 1 2 3 New Party of the Central African Renaissance 0 3 3 New Republican Convention for Social Progress 1 1 2 New Movement for Democracy and Development 1 1 2 0 Socialist Party 1 0 1 New National Union for Democracy and Rally 1 0 1 0 National Solidarity Movement 0 1 1 New Action Party for Development 0 1 1 –2 Party for Democracy and Solidarity–Kélémba 0 1 1 New National Unity Party 0 1 1 +1 Independents 22 34 56 +30 +31 1225300 ANERCA, ANERCA Aftermath Touadéra was sworn in on 30 March 2016. Speaking on the occasion, he vowed to pursue disarmament and "make CAR a united country, a country of peace, a country facing development"."Central African Republic's president vows peace, reforms at inauguration", Reuters, 30 March 2016. He appointed Simplice Sarandji, his campaign director, as Prime Minister on 2 April 2016,"Central African president names PM in decree: radio", Reuters, 2 April 2016."Centrafrique : Sarandji nommé Premier ministre", BBC News, 2 April 2016 fr. and the composition of the new government was announced on 11 April 2016. Three presidential candidates who backed Touadéra in the second round were included in the government: Jean-Serge Bokassa as Minister of the Interior, Charles-Armel Doubane as Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Joseph Yakété as Minister of National Defense. Several new ministers had previously served in the government under Bozizé, and under Touadéra while he was Bozizé's Prime Minister; it was suggested that they were appointed because of their experience in working under Touadéra, and not because of any connections to Bozizé. No representatives of the Seleka rebel group or the "anti-balaka" militias were included in the government.Vincent Duhem, "Centrafrique : ce qu’il faut retenir du nouveau gouvernement dévoilé par Touadéra", Jeune Afrique, 13 April 2016 fr. Karim Meckassoua, a defeated presidential candidate who was also elected to the National Assembly, was elected as President of the National Assembly on 6 May 2016. He received 65 votes against 24 for Anicet-Georges Dologuélé and 14 for Martin Ziguélé."Centrafrique : Karim Meckassoua élu président de la nouvelle Assemblée Nationale" https://web.archive.org/web/20160601035428/http://rjdh.org/centrafrique-karim-meckassoua-elu-president-de-nouvelle-assemblee-nationale/ 2016-06-01 , RJDH, 6 May 2016 fr. References Category:Parliamentary elections in the Central African Republic Central Central General General Category:Presidential elections in the Central African Republic Category:Election and referendum articles with incomplete results Category:December 2015 in Africa Category:February 2016 in Africa