KIGALI, Rwanda

The Central African Republic will hold general elections Dec. 28, after several postponements, a government official confirmed Tuesday.

Voters will vote in presidential, parliamentary, regional and municipal elections, Bruno Yapande, the territorial administration minister told reporters, following a meeting with the electoral authority, which is focused on updating the electoral register.

The electoral process is progressing rapidly, despite some challenges, he said.

Roughly 2.3 million voters are registered, with publication of the final electoral list expected Aug. 29, the minister said.

President Faustin Archange Touadera, first elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2020, declared his intention in July to seek a third term amid criticism.

He is credited with improvements in the security situation after years of conflict.

Last month, more than 70 rebels were disarmed and demobilized, according to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).

Those who surrendered are from the Union for Peace in the CAR (UPC) and the Return, Reclamation and Rehabilitation (3R) rebel groups.