In a nation scarred by conflict, over 400,000 displaced youths—most first-time voters—see Sunday’s election as a pivotal chance for stability, education, and a path home.
BIRAO, Central African Republic — In a windswept camp on the edges of the Sahel, 18-year-old Amani Abdramane pauses from tending her donkey, adjusting the pink scarf draped over her shoulders. Like many across the Central African Republic (CAR), she is preparing to vote in Sunday’s general election—and with her ballot, cast a hope for peace.
“I hope the person I vote for brings peace,” Abdramane says. Displaced nearly a decade ago after her father was killed and her family fled ethnic violence, she has not set foot in a classroom since she was eight. “I just want my brothers, sisters and me to be able to go to school.”
Her story echoes across a country where young people make up the majority of the displaced—and now, for the first time, the electorate. According to recent United Nations data, CAR had some 416,000 internally displaced persons as of November, most under age 25. This weekend, many will vote for the first time, viewing the election not only as a civic duty but as a tangible chance to reclaim their futures.
In the crowded Korsi district of Birao, a community radio station has become a voter card distribution point. Marina Hajjram, 18, waits in line, clutching her newly issued card. “I’m so happy,” she says. Behind her, 25-year-old Issa Abdoul nods in agreement, calling the elections essential “to continue the reconstruction of our country.”
Yet the simple act of obtaining a voting card is a milestone marred by hardship. Many lost all identification documents when they fled. In a nation where three-quarters of the population is under 35, the challenges of documentation, safety, and access underscore the fragility of the democratic process.
President Faustin-Archange Touadera is seeking a third term amid a field of seven presidential contenders. While relative calm has returned to parts of the country, northeastern regions near Sudan remain volatile, scarred by cross-border incursions and rebel activity.
For young voters like 23-year-old Issene Abdoulkasim, the election is a stepping stone to larger dreams. After only reaching third grade, he aims to become a tailor to fund further study—and ultimately enter parliament. “As an MP I’ll be able to bring peace and development,” he explains. “I want to put an end to conflicts, tensions and everything that is destroying our country.”
As the sun beats down on the camps and polling stations alike, CAR’s youth are placing a fragile but determined bet: that their votes can build a bridge from displacement to dignity, and from conflict to a lasting peace.
