Central Africa’s President, Touadera, wins re-election as opposition cries foul

Central African Republic President Faustin Archange Touadera has won an outright election victory after a tense first round of voting in the country, the electoral commission announced on Monday. The December 27 presidential election, which coincided with legislative polls, took place as a coalition of armed rebel groups renewed an offensive that left thousands unable to cast their ballots.

Central African Republic President Faustin Archange Touadera has won an outright election victory after a tense first round of voting in the country, the electoral commission announced on Monday. The December 27 presidential election, which coincided with legislative polls, took place as a coalition of armed rebel groups renewed an offensive that left thousands unable to cast their ballots.

But unrest has persisted since the election and on Sunday rebels seized the city of Bangassou, some 750 kilometres (470 miles) east of Bangui, after what the UN peacekeeping force MINUSCA described as a “violent attack”. On Monday, MINUSCA said they had “secured” part of the city of some 30,000 inhabitants after sending in reinforcements a few hours before the expected announcement of the results.

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