2016 — Central African Republic Votes for Peace

On February 14, 2016, the Central African Republic held the runoff of its presidential election, a vote meant to end years of sectarian war that had killed thousands and displaced nearly a million people. Under heavy security, voters chose Faustin-Archange Touadera with about 63 percent of the vote.

UN peacekeepers guarded the polling stations as citizens cast their ballots. The result was seen as a rejection of the armed factions, and it restored constitutional government to the country. After years of war, the runoff offered something simple and profound: a president chosen by voters rather than imposed by men with guns.