Overview
- Touadéra took the oath Monday in Bangui for a new seven-year term after a December vote the Constitutional Council said he won with 77.9 percent.
- Opposition figures, including main rival Anicet George Dologuélé, boycotted or contested the election and alleged large-scale fraud.
- Regional leaders attended the stadium ceremony in front of about 20,000 people, including African Union chair Evariste Ndayishimiye and the heads of state of Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon, and the Comoros.
- In his address, Touadéra promised to boost security, foster reconciliation, grow the economy, create jobs, and fight corruption in a country where most people live in poverty.
- He relies on Russia-linked Wagner forces and partners in Rwanda and the United Arab Emirates to support his army, a strategy analysts say helped regain territory even as security gains remain fragile since a 2019 peace deal.