Former Premiers to compete in run off in C.A.R

Central African Republic’s constitutional court has certified results from the first round of the country’s long-awaited presidential vote, confirming that two former prime ministers will compete in a runoff.

The two are Anicet-Georges Dologuélé, who got nearly 24 percent of the vote, and Faustin-Archange Touadera, who received 19 percent.

The court also cancelled the first round legislative vote held in December over what it termed as irregularities.

Nearly 2 million voters went to the polls in December.

New elections should be held within 60 days of the last one according to the law in C.A.R., but analysts say that is unlikely to happen.

The country which is among the poorest in the world has been torn apart by sectarian violence since March 2013 when former president François Bozizé was ousted by Muslim rebels.

A transitional government was formed in January 2014 and elections had been postponed four times since February 2015 due to insecurity and logistical challenges.

In December, a referendum on constitutional changes was also marred by violence and even the presence of UN and French troops has largely failed to stabilise the country.