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A United Nations human rights expert, Yao Agbetse, has sounded the alarm over serious operational problems within the Central African Republic’s National Elections Authority (ANE) as the country prepares for legislative, presidential, and local elections later this year.
Agbetse warned on Thursday that the electoral body is plagued by persistent internal dysfunction that risks derailing the electoral timetable and undermining public confidence in the process.
The UN’s independent expert on human rights in the Central African Republic called for a complete institutional overhaul of the ANE to enhance its capacity and ensure transparent governance ahead of the scheduled elections.
He stressed the importance of agreeing on a realistic electoral timetable and appealed to the international community to increase support for CAR’s democratic institutions to guarantee credible, inclusive, and peaceful polls that meet international standards.
The expert’s concerns come following ongoing challenges in a country still recovering from violence linked to the disputed December 2020 presidential election, which saw armed groups briefly march on the capital, Bangui, in an attempted government overthrow.
Despite assurances from senior ANE officials during Agbetse’s February visit, the fate of the local elections set for August 31 remains uncertain.
A key issue is the delayed production of a revised electoral register, a fundamental component for holding free and fair elections. The ANE has yet to release even a provisional version, raising doubts about the feasibility of meeting legal deadlines, including finalising the register at least three months before the first round of presidential and legislative polls planned for December.
Agbetse warned that if the current pace continues, these deadlines are unlikely to be met, risking the integrity of the entire electoral process. He called for swift and decisive action to restore confidence in the country’s fragile democracy.
