Photo: a Radio Ndeke Luka journalist covers the presidential inauguration ceremony in Bangui on March 30, 2026. © Radio Ndeke Luka
In December 2025, the Central African Republic held a quadruple election—presidential, legislative, regional and municipal—an unprecedented event in nearly 40 years. For more than three months, Radio Ndeke Luka (RNL) followed the process from start to finish, from the launch of the campaign on December 16 to the presidential inauguration on March 30 in Bangui. Brice Landry Ndangui, Editor-in-Chief of RNL, reflects on this coverage.
How did Radio Ndeke Luka prepare to cover these elections, and what assessment do you make today following the March 30 inauguration?
Radio Ndeke Luka did not wait for the official calling of the electorate to prepare its coverage of the electoral process, whose second round is scheduled for late April. Preparation began as soon as the electoral timeline was adopted, with a three-phase coverage plan: the pre-election period, the campaign period up to voting day, and the post-election period. All our teams (newsroom, programming, technical staff, and fact-checking unit) were mobilized for this work.
During the pre-election phase, we aired awareness programs on the different stages of the process, including the publication of the electoral map, voter registration, and the importance of participation by young people, women, minorities, etc. We also placed particular emphasis on media literacy and the fight against disinformation. We received a great deal of positive feedback from listeners and some partners.
During the campaign period, we provided impartial and independent coverage by giving all presidential candidates balanced and equitable airtime. This was made possible through an internal mechanism deployed for this operation, including a special programming schedule and a charter covering the entire campaign period up to election day.
The final stage involves the publication of provisional results by the National Elections Authority and final results by the Constitutional Court. At this stage, the first round has been fully completed, with the election of the president and his inauguration on March 30 in Bangui.
As far as we are concerned, the overall assessment is positive despite the many challenges faced by RNL and the media in general.
Why is it important for an independent media outlet to cover elections in the CAR context? What were the key issues to cover?
The Central African Republic has gone through nearly a decade of severe political, military, and humanitarian crises. Credible elections are the foundation of state legitimacy, from top to bottom. Elections are one of the cornerstones of democracy, dialogue, and peace. Citizens need media that provide reliable and credible information that meets their expectations. To achieve this, independent, impartial, and credible media are essential. This is the role that Radio Ndeke Luka and Fondation Hirondelle play in the CAR. The neutrality of the radio station and its journalists has helped strengthen public trust in the media across the country.
It should be noted that RNL faced, for the first time, such a complex and delicate operation: this quadruple election was a real-life test for the years to come. It is the first time in nearly 40 years that the CAR has organized elections of this kind simultaneously.
How did RNL organize its coverage to ensure impartiality and give all candidates a voice?
We put in place a system that enabled us to remain professional and impartial. This included a special election programming schedule, the establishment of an electoral charter, and adapted technical arrangements.
This system, validated by the High Council for Communication, was presented to candidates, their representatives, political parties, as well as civil society and media professional organizations. Each entity received a copy of our electoral charter. All RNL teams were made aware of the importance of this framework and the need to comply with the guidelines.
As a result, all candidates appeared in our various on-air programs and on our digital platforms. For the first time since taking office as President of the Central African Republic, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra took part in this exercise like the other candidates. He came to the station twice, spending more than three hours during his first appearance.
For legislative, municipal, and regional elections, it was impossible to give individual airtime to thousands of candidates. We therefore ensured comprehensive coverage in each locality, thanks to the support of our correspondents across the country and our teams in Bangui.
What measures were put in place to guarantee journalists’ independence? What challenges did you face in this regard?
All journalists and correspondents were trained on election coverage, with a particular focus on combating disinformation and promoting media literacy. Several exchange and awareness sessions were held on the electoral charter and the Fondation Hirondelle’s Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, in order to ensure neutral, transparent, and professional coverage.
The main challenge came from ensuring that candidates, their representatives, and their political parties respected these guidelines. Some attempted to impose their will or dictate how we should operate, which they were never able to do thanks to the rigorous work of our teams.
Another challenge was limited human resources in the face of such an extensive operation. The newsroom therefore focused on topics considered most important in terms of public interest.
During the campaign, voting, and the live broadcast of the inauguration, how many journalists were mobilized and what were the main technical challenges?
In total, around fifty journalists and technicians in Bangui, along with more than forty correspondents across the country, were mobilized for the campaign and election day. For the inauguration ceremony, 10 journalists and technicians ensured the live broadcast from the stadium, in addition to a large team mobilized on-air and across the capital for reporting.
The main challenges lay in maintaining live broadcasting while ensuring the proper functioning of the planned system. On election day, we received excellent feedback on the technical setup. However, during the inauguration ceremony, some intermittent issues affected the live broadcast. This was due partly to strict security measures at the venue and partly to a technical failure that affected our installations on the morning of the event.
Did you receive feedback from voters and listeners on RNL’s role in helping them understand the stakes of the elections?
We received positive feedback in this regard, not only from listeners across the country but also from some of our partners. A survey is currently underway to gather documented data. We will have the opportunity to share the results in due course.
To continue following the elections in the Central African Republic, visit Radio Ndeke Luka.