CAR Opposition Leader Dologuélé Decries ‘Political Machination’ in Nationality Certificate Disqualification
With barely a month remaining until the Central African Republic’s presidential election scheduled for December 28, 2025, the political atmosphere in Bangui has reached a boiling point. Prominent opposition figure Anicet-Georges Dologuélé, former Prime Minister and president of the Union for Central African Renewal (URCA), has publicly condemned what he describes as an “illegal maneuver” designed to bar him from the presidential race.
The controversy centers on a judicial decision to reject his Central African nationality certificate—a mandatory document for validating presidential candidacy in the troubled nation.
A Political Vendetta or Legal Technicality?
During a tense press conference in Bangui on Monday, November 10th, Dologuélé didn’t mince words. “All these schemes are guided not by law or justice, but by fear and hatred,” the opposition leader declared, characterizing the move as a “political vendetta” orchestrated by the current administration.
He portrayed the nationality certificate rejection as a thinly veiled attempt at exclusion masquerading as routine administrative procedure. But is this a genuine legal matter or pure political machination?
The Nationality Controversy Deepens
The legal dispute traces back to a complex citizenship history. In 1994, Dologuélé acquired French nationality, which automatically resulted in the loss of his Central African citizenship under the country’s 1961 Nationality Code. Seeking to comply with the 2023 Constitution—which now bars dual nationals from presidential candidacy—he formally renounced his French citizenship last August.
Dologuélé maintains he has followed the letter of the law. “I consider myself fully Central African,” he asserted, noting that the same nationality certificate had been accepted without question during his previous presidential bids in 2015 and 2020.
Yet the Central African judiciary recently declared the document “null and void,” arguing that Dologuélé should have obtained a presidential decree of reinstatement to regain his citizenship. The opposition leader dismisses this interpretation as politically motivated, calling the requirement “obsolete” since it hasn’t been applied in over six decades.
“If we apply this code to the letter,” Dologuélé remarked pointedly, “hundreds of ministers, members of parliament, and civil servants would also be stateless.” He has called on President Faustin-Archange Touadéra to dismiss everyone in similar circumstances if the rule is to be consistently enforced.
High-Stakes Electoral Battle
For Dologuélé and his supporters, the certificate rejection has a singular purpose: eliminating a formidable challenger to the incumbent president. “The administration is seeking to eliminate a serious competitor,” he stated bluntly, accusing the government of judicial manipulation to neutralize opposition before voters ever reach the polls.
The presidency has vigorously denied these allegations. Obed Namsio, Chief of Staff to President Touadéra, characterized Dologuélé’s accusations as “offensive and defamatory statements,” emphasizing that the president “does not interfere in the electoral process.”
Despite the setback, Dologuélé remains defiant. He maintains that his application complies with all legal requirements and vows to defend his candidacy before all competent authorities. The Constitutional Court, which holds ultimate responsibility for examining candidacies, is expected to issue its final decision on November 16th.
Broader Implications for CAR Democracy
This controversy erupts amid already heightened political tensions in Bangui. Debates surrounding electoral transparency, constitutional reform, and national security have deeply divided the political class, with the Dologuélé case highlighting what many observers see as institutional weaknesses within the Central African Republic.
“The nationality issue is being instrumentalized to serve political interests,” analyzed a local researcher who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the topic. “This diverts attention from the real issues: governance, the fight against corruption, and national reconciliation.”
At 68, Anicet-Georges Dologuélé represents a moderate, technocratic opposition often viewed as a credible alternative to the current regime. Having been defeated twice by President Touadéra, he hopes the third time might prove different—if only he can secure a place on the ballot.
A Nation Awaits Resolution
While awaiting the Constitutional Court’s verdict, the URCA candidate has called for calm and unity among his supporters. “We must stand firm and defend our right to freely choose our leaders,” he urged.
The December 28th presidential election in the Central African Republic appears increasingly decisive, pitting an administration confident in its legitimacy against an opposition determined to challenge it. At the heart of this political battle lies the explosive question of national identity—transformed, for the moment, into the most potent political weapon in the nation’s arsenal.
Source: Original reporting based on press conference statements and official documents from Bangui, Central African Republic.