Faustin-Archange Touadera, incumbent President of the Central African Republic, speaks to his supporters in Bangui, Central African Republic on Dec. 14, 2025. (Str/Xinhua)

BANGUI, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The campaign for the presidential, legislative, regional and municipal elections scheduled for Dec. 28 in the Central African Republic began on Saturday.

Seven candidates are vying for the presidency, including incumbent President Faustin-Archange Touadera, who has been in power since 2016 and is seeking a third term.

Touadera launched his campaign in Sibut, the capital of Kemo prefecture, some 186 km north of the country's capital, Bangui, saying he will intensify efforts to restore peace and order in the country if reelected.

His main opponents are Anicet-Georges Dologuele and Henri-Marie Dondra, both former prime ministers who have pledged to fight poverty and improve living conditions for the population.

The campaign will last for two weeks. Approximately 2.3 million voters have registered on the electoral lists for the elections. ■