Politics
Polls opened Wednesday in the Central African Republic in delayed presidential and parliamentary elections aimed at restoring stable government after years of turmoil.
Thirty candidates are vying to replace interim leader Catherine Samba-Panza. UN peacekeepers hope to stop a repeat of the violence three weeks ago during a referendum on a new constitution. The C.A.R. has been torn by sectarian violence since the Muslim Seleka alliance seized power in March 2013. A band of mostly Christian militias, called the anti-Balaka, then took up arms against the Seleka. In January 2014, a transitional government was formed but elections have been postponed four times since February 2015 due to insecurity and logistical challenges. Three candidates are considered frontrunners for the presidency.
Reuters writes:
The turmoil and an upsurge of violence in the capital Bangui in September repeatedly forced authorities to delay the polls. More recently some have cast doubts on whether the election can be organized successfully. Mainly Muslim rebels from a group called the Seleka seized power in the majority Christian nation in early 2013, provoking reprisals from the Christian anti-balaka militias that triggered a cycle of religious killings. Even so, many people in Bangui said they are desperate to vote and hope the election will bring change to the country, ruled since May 2014 by interim President Catherine Samba-Panza.
