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Election count in the Central African Republic: The vote took place at a time of extreme tension
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A new president was elected a few days ago in the Central African Republic, overshadowed by internal conflicts.
However, the opposition doubts the result.
The losing candidates have asked for the election results to be canceled.
They complained about "numerous irregularities" in the vote at the end of December.
Former Prime Minister Anicet Georges Dologuélé, who, according to the election commission, came in second behind incumbent Faustin Archange Touadéra, announced a complaint to the Constitutional Court on Tuesday.
Almost one million citizens were prevented from voting by the violence of armed groups.
The third-placed candidate, Martin Ziguele, described the election result as a “shame for our country”.
According to the electoral commission, head of state Touadéra achieved an absolute majority in the first ballot on December 27 with 53.9 percent.
The Touadéra, who has been in office since 2016, was voted as the favorite.
The election result has yet to be officially confirmed by the Constitutional Court.
The vote had taken place amid extreme tensions.
A conflict has broken out between the Touadéra government and influential rebel groups.
More than two thirds of the country are controlled by militias who accused Touádera of attempting to rig the elections.
The Central African Republic is one of the poorest and most unstable countries in the world.
The Central African Republic is one of the poorest and most unstable countries in the world.
The mineral-rich country has been plagued by conflicts and upheavals for years.
In 2003 François Bozizé came to power, but in 2013 he was overthrown by the Seleka, a primarily Muslim coalition of rebel groups.
Years of fighting between the Seleka and Christian anti-Balaka militias followed.
A French military intervention and later the UN mission temporarily stabilized the situation.
A peace agreement was signed in 2019, but violence continues.
Three blue helmet soldiers stationed in the country killed a few days before the presidential election.
The rebels are apparently supported by ex-President Bozizé.
The constitutional court rejected his candidacy for the presidential election shortly before the elections.
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asc / AFP / dpa