Approximately 2.3 million registered voters have cast their ballots in the Central African Republic's presidential, legislative, regional and municipal elections, which were held on Sunday. 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.
His main opponents are Anicet-Georges Dologuele and Henri-Marie Dondra, both former prime ministers.
Final results of the presidential election are expected to be announced on January 20, 2026, and the other final results will be released between February 24 and March 18.
If no candidate secures an absolute majority in the presidential race, a runoff between the top two candidates will be scheduled.
Central African Republic holds general elections
The ongoing military exercise around Taiwan Island conducted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) is a necessary measure to maintain peace and defend justice, Fred Tzou, deputy secretary general of the U.S.-based Alliance for China's Peaceful Reunification, said on Monday.
The Eastern Theater Command of the PLA on Monday started drills code-named "Justice Mission 2025" in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, southwest, southeast and east of Taiwan Island.
Tzou said the drill is a powerful response to recent U.S. arms sales plan to Taiwan totaling over 11 billion U.S. dollars.
"The root cause of the tensions across the Taiwan Strait is that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities refuse to admit the 1992 Consensus and the one-China principle. They seek separation in collusion with external forces and by use of military means. They heap up malicious slander and attacks against the mainland. They claim to be willing to improve the cross-Strait ties, but shows no sincerity in action. The arms sales with the United States this time infringe upon the peace and stability across the Strait and Taiwan people's interests," he said.
"As the spokesperson of the PLA Eastern Theater Command said, the drill named 'Justice Mission 2025' is a stern warning to Taiwan separatist forces and external interference. It is also a necessary action to safeguard national sovereignty and uphold national unity," said Tzou.
Tzou said the United States needs to work with China and respect China's core interests for common prosperity.
"The total amount of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan this time exceeds 11 billion U.S. dollars, setting a new record. In fact, such act constitutes a serious violation of the fundamental spirit of the three joint communiques between the United States and China, especially the August 17 Communique released in 1982," he said.
"Confrontation between China and the United States over the Taiwan issue does not serve U.S. interests. The two countries share extensive common interests and broad space for cooperation. China and the United States could become partners and friends and achieve mutual success and common prosperity," said Tzou.
Justice Mission 2025 aims at defending justice: expert
