Financial Times: Russian troops and coup fears fuel tensions in Central African Republic election

With rebel groups joining forces, the incumbent accusing his rival of fomenting a coup and Russia sending troops to keep the peace — tensions are high ahead of this week’s election in the Central African Republic.

The poll on Sunday is set to be a crucial test for a two-year-old peace agreement that has failed to fully quell rebel violence and for Russian sway in the country as it seeks to expand its global sphere of influence.

President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a Russian ally, is expected to win a second term on Sunday against 15 other candidates in the mineral-rich country after the constitutional court rejected the candidacy of ex-president François Bozizé because he is under UN sanctions…

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