New Delhi, Dec. 26 -- Central African Republic on Dec. 28 will hold presidential and legislative elections as concerns over armed groups have led to a growing reliance on Russia for security.

President Faustin Archange Touadera has led the country since 2016 and is seen as likely to win a third term after a constitutional referendum in 2023 removed term limits. His decision to run again sparked a street protest by thousands of people earlier this year.

Touadera is one of Russia's closest allies in Africa, but tensions have grown this year over Moscow's demand to replace the private Wagner mercenary group with the Russian military unit Africa Corps.

Meanwhile, rights groups have raised concerns about repression ahead of the vote's first...