The Central African Republic has elected President Faustin-Archange Touadera for a second term. According to the National Election Authority, the incumbent was re-elected in the first round of the Dec. 27 presidential vote with 53.9% of the votes. The election has been marred by pockets of violence in rebel strongholds amid calls from the opposition to suspend the election until there is an environment to guarantee a free and fair election.

International observers noted the vote in the capital went well, but violence scared many from going to vote in other parts of the country, despite the reinforcement of peacekeeping forces sent in by Russia and Rwanda after a pre-election scare that saw rebels loyal to former President Francois Bozize threaten to overrun the capital Bangui. Former President Francois Bozize, who took power in a coup in 2003 and ruled until 2013 when he was ousted by Seleka rebels, faces an international arrest warrant for crimes against humanity and incitement of genocide. He also has U.N. sanctions slapped against him for his alleged role in backing the anti-Balaka groups that resisted the Seleka in 2013.

The announcement of provisional results came as armed violence intensified outside the capital, including an attack by rebels on Touadera’s second home in Damara, a locality more than 75 kilometers (47 miles) from Bangui. The attack was contained by the Central African Armed Forces with the support of Russians, Rwandans, and Congolese soldiers who came to the Central African Republic on the invitation of the incumbent President as part of securing the country that has been unstable and vulnerable to armed rebel groups.

The mineral-rich Central African Republic has been embroiled in a deadly conflict since 2013 when a Muslim Seleka rebel outfit grabbed power from former President Francois Bozize accusing him of marginalization. The fight between Seleka and anti-balaka forces—well-armed and religiously exclusive—is a troubling feature of recent conflicts in the Central African Republic.

 The conflict has torn the country apart killing hundreds and displacing millions and also pitying Muslims against Christians. Despite a 2019 peace agreement between the government and 14 rebel groups, intermittent violence and human rights abuses have continued making it hard for the central government to exert its authority across the country. Seven years after the last coup d'état and six years after the deployment of the third-largest United Nations (UN) peace mission, analysts are still skeptical about the direction of the country on its murky road to peace and stability.

The intervention of Russian troops in the Central African Republic has recently raised eyebrows about her motives and intentions with some observers indicating that Russia is seeking to revive Soviet Union ties it enjoyed during the reign of former President Jean-Bedel Bokassa before he was overthrown in 1979. While Russia did help broker a peace deal that was signed by 14 armed groups, many are concerned that Russia is playing a geo-political chess game in Africa, which involves China and United States who have already established military bases in  African countries like Djibouti. As the country ushers in a newly elected government, the political security in the country remains fragile. Political tensions are likely to reach fever-point and spates of violence to reoccur putting the legitimacy of the administration into disrepute thus undermining a path to peace and stability in the foreseeable future.