Displaced youth in Central African Republic see Sunday’s election as a chance for peace and schooling, with many voting for the first time
BIRAO: Young people displaced by conflict in the Central African Republic are pinning their hopes on Sunday’s general election for a brighter future.
Eighteen-year-old Amani Abdramane, living in a makeshift camp, hopes her vote will bring peace to her country. She fled her village in 2015 after her father was killed and has been unable to return to school since.
“I just want my brothers, sisters and me to be able to go to school,” she said.
The election will choose local officials, members of parliament and a new president, with incumbent Faustin-Archange Touadera seeking a third term. For many young first-time voters, the polls represent a long-awaited opportunity.
Marina Hajram, also 18, expressed joy at receiving her voter card. “I’m so happy,” she told AFP.
Security issues prevented many from voting in the last election in 2020. Obtaining a voter card itself is a challenge for displaced people who lost their identity documents when they fled.
Across the country, there were 416,000 internally displaced persons as of November. The vast majority are under 25 and will be voting for the first time this weekend.
Three quarters of the population is under 35, according to a 2018 UN report. Peace remains their primary desire, despite improvements in many urban areas.
Violence persists in the northeast due to incursions from Sudan’s conflict and local rebel groups. Twenty-three-year-old Issene Abdoulkasim dreams of studying to become a member of parliament.
“I dream of studying so I can become a member of parliament. Because as an MP I’ll be able to bring peace and development,” he said. “I want to put an end to conflicts, tensions and everything that is destroying our country.”
