Central African Republic’s President was on Monday sworn in for a third term following a disputed general election which the opposition alleged was rigged.

Inauguration and Term Details

Faustin-Archange Touadéra, with his inauguration at the capital, will serve for a fresh seven-year term.

He was declared the winner of the December election boycotted by the coalition opposition party following a 2023 constitutional amendment that removed term limits and raised the presidential term from five to seven years.

Touadéra’s Vision for Sovereignty

“We aspire to build a sovereign economy and ensure transparent management of our natural resources,” Touadéra said at the swearing-in ceremony in Bangui, attended by the Presidents of Congo-Brazzaville and Comoros.

Opposition Rejection and Election Results

Opposition parties and civil society rejected the results of the election alleging fraud, but the Constitutional Council at its ruling last weekend said Touadéra won with 77.9% of the vote.

“You have to be a fool to believe that,” said Frédéric Godoba, a civil society activist.

Ongoing Conflict and Peace Deal

Conflict has broken out in the country since 2013 after mostly Muslim rebels seized power and forced then President François Bozizé to quit.

The conflict was de-escalated by a 2019 peace deal between the government and 14 armed groups. Six of the 14 groups later withdrew from the agreement.

Russian Mercenary Presence

The Central African Republic is one of the countries where Wagner, a Russian mercenary group, was first active in Africa.