Central African Republic
Expected Council Action
In November, the Council is expected to renew the mandate of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), which expires on 15 November.
The Central African Republic (CAR) sanctions regime expires on 31 July 2026, and the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the 2745 CAR Sanctions Committee expires on 31 August 2026.
Key Recent Developments
On 28 October, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the CAR and Head of MINUSCA Valentine Rugwabiza briefed the Council about the mission’s essential role in protecting civilians, supporting the expansion of state authority, assisting electoral processes and sustaining momentum in implementing the 2019 Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic (APPR-RCA). (For more, see our 27 October What’s in Blue story.)
The CAR is scheduled to hold presidential, parliamentary, and local elections on 28 December. These elections present significant financial, logistical, and security challenges for a country still emerging from conflict and grappling with fragile security conditions. Opposition parties and civil society organisations have raised concerns about the shrinking political space and the lack of inclusivity in the electoral process. On 2 September, CAR’s Prime Minister convened a session between his government and the Bloc Républicain pour la Défense de la Constitution du 30 mars 2016 (BRDC), an opposition platform, in an effort to foster consensus, inclusive governance, and national cohesion. However, according to the latest report of the Secretary-General circulated to Council members on 13 October (S/2025/638), the dialogue remains stalled due to disagreements over the modalities of the talks.
MINUSCA is assisting the CAR authorities in organising the upcoming elections and, according to its spokesperson, has been facilitating the delivery of electoral lists and candidate forms from the capital, Bangui, to the various prefectures since 29 September. The CAR government has reportedly committed an additional US$7.8 million in funding for the elections, following its previous disbursement of $7.1 million in February. However, a funding gap of $12.4 million remains, based on the estimated $23.6 million needed to conduct the combined elections.
Persistent insecurity continues to affect several parts of the CAR, particularly the eastern and western regions. In the southeast, violence perpetrated by the Azande Ani Kpi Gbe—a militia group accused of serious human rights violations—remains a major concern, with reports of multiple attacks resulting in numerous deaths and the displacement of civilians. In the northeast, along the border with Sudan, the CAR faces recurring incursions by armed groups. The spillover effects of the ongoing conflict in neighbouring Sudan have further exacerbated the country’s already fragile security situation. In response, MINUSCA has reinforced its temporary bases in the affected border areas to address the insecurity and tension experienced by local populations.
By contrast, the security situation in other parts of the country has improved, with a noticeable decline in security incidents, according to the Secretary-General’s report. This follows the April decision by two armed groups, Retour, Réclamation et Réhabilitation (3R) and Unité pour la Paix en Centrafrique (UPC), whose leaders committed to ceasing hostilities and rejoining the APPR-RCA, as well as beginning the disarmament and demobilisation of their combatants. In line with its mandate, MINUSCA continues to provide technical, logistical, and security support for this process. On 10 July, the CAR government held a meeting in Bangui to mark the official return of 3R and UPC to the APPR-RCA. The event was attended by leaders of both armed groups and a high-level delegation from Chad, which had facilitated the April agreement between the government and the two groups.
Human Rights-Related Developments
On 8 October, the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) adopted resolution 60/34 on technical assistance and capacity-building in the field of human rights in the CAR. Among other recommendations, the resolution strongly condemns all human rights violations and abuses as well as international humanitarian law violations, and stresses that those responsible for such abuses must be held accountable and brought to justice.
On 25 August, Yao Agbetse, the independent expert on the situation of human rights in the CAR, submitted a report to the HRC on developments regarding the country’s human rights situation. Covering the period between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025, the report notes an encouraging but mixed trend concerning the prevalence of human rights abuses and violations in the country. It highlights that challenges remain in relation to the defence and security forces’ compliance with basic rules for the protection of civilians, even though measures taken under the political agreement have contributed to fragile improvements in the country’s human rights situation and institutions involved in governance and human rights. Among other matters, the report concludes by calling on the CAR government to strengthen the implementation of relevant peace agreements, and urging MINUSCA to continue building the capacity of state institutions whose mandate includes governance and human rights.
Peacebuilding Commission Developments
On 3 October, the CAR country configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) held an ambassadorial-level meeting ahead of the 30 October Council briefing and consultations on CAR. The meeting discussed the justice and rule of law sector, particularly the lack of adequate resources facing the Special Criminal Court (SCC), which hampers its ability to effectively deliver justice and ensure accountability. The SCC is a hybrid court composed of national and international judges, operational since 2018, and mandated to investigate, prosecute, and adjudicate the most serious crimes committed in the CAR.
The PBC meeting also discussed the outcome of the high-level Investment Roundtable for the financing of the CAR National Development Plan 2024-2028, which was held on 14-15 September in Casablanca, Morocco. The meeting saw the participation of CAR’s President Faustin Archange Touadéra and other high-level representatives from the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, African Development Bank, and European Commission, among others.
Key Issues and Options
The renewal of MINUSCA’s mandate will be a key issue for Security Council members in November. A major concern will be how to sustain the progress achieved in the CAR with the continued support of the mission. As the mandate renewal comes ahead of the December elections, Council members are expected to focus on how best to assist the CAR in organising free, fair, and peaceful presidential, legislative, and local elections, while addressing the significant financial, technical, and logistical challenges involved. MINUSCA already has a mandate to support the CAR authorities in conducting these elections.
The most likely option for Council members is to extend MINUSCA’s mandate for one year, as recommended by the Secretary-General. However, members may consider adjustments to the mission’s mandate, priorities, and authorised troop levels. While MINUSCA’s overall mandate remains relevant, certain components—particularly Disarmament, Demobilisation, Reintegration, and Repatriation (DDRR)—are expected to receive heightened attention, especially in light of the recent reintegration of two armed groups into the APPR-RCA. In addition, given the ongoing security challenges along CAR’s borders, particularly with Sudan, Council members may also consider ways to strengthen the mission’s capacity to assist the CAR government in addressing cross-border threats.
Like all UN peacekeeping operations, MINUSCA has been affected by the UN’s ongoing liquidity crisis, which is constraining its operational capacity. With unpaid contributions to the mission’s special account estimated at around $500 million, MINUSCA—like other peacekeeping missions—is implementing contingency plans to reduce expenditures by 15 percent. In light of these financial constraints, members may want to discuss the impact of a potential reduction in the mission’s authorised strength. Such a development could compel MINUSCA to adjust its posture in order to continue fulfilling its mandated tasks in a resource-constrained environment. Council members could ask the Secretariat to convene with Council members and troop- and police-contributing countries to explain the measures being implemented to address the liquidity crisis, as well as their likely implications for the upcoming mandate renewal.
The implementation of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) may also be an issue in the upcoming negotiations. During the Council’s June briefing, the US expressed particular concern over the CAR government’s fuel import regulations, which it argued are hindering MINUSCA’s operations. The US delegation noted that these regulations require the mission to rely on a government-designated monopoly importer and pay inflated fuel prices, thereby undermining its ability to carry out critical tasks.
Council Dynamics
Compared with other UN peacekeeping operations facing significant challenges, MINUSCA is generally regarded as a relative success in discharging its mandated tasks. Last year, the Security Council renewed the mission’s mandate unanimously for the first time in four years. However, concerns have emerged regarding the upcoming mandate renewal in November, particularly in the context of the UN’s ongoing liquidity crisis. Some Council members may advocate for the mission to begin a gradual drawdown, citing the financial constraints facing the mission and the recent progress in the peace process.
Last year, following MINUSCA’s 2024 strategic review, China called on the mission to adopt a transition mindset. It encouraged MINUSCA to begin discussions with the CAR authorities on a potential transition plan, ahead of 2026, to ensure that the mission would be prepared for a possible drawdown, should conditions permit or a formal request be made. However, this proposal was not accepted during negotiations, apparently because the CAR government did not want the Council to consider the recommendations contained in the review. Rugwabiza visited Beijing in July to discuss the implementation of MINUSCA’s mandate with Chinese officials ahead of the mission’s mandate renewal in November.
Council dynamics around the upcoming mandate renewal may be complicated by the US position on funding peacekeeping operations. On 29 August, US President Donald Trump approved a “pocket rescission” package, cancelling $5 billion in foreign aid and funding to international organisations—including approximately $800 million in contributions to UN peacekeeping. The package claims that “UN peacekeeping has been fraught with waste and abuse”, citing, among other issues, allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse in missions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the CAR. It also asserts that “the Central African Republic mission has become fully aligned with Russia, which continues to extract the country’s natural resources”.
France is the penholder on the CAR, and Ambassador Amar Bendjama (Algeria) chairs the 2745 CAR Sanctions Committee.
| Security Council Resolutions | |
| 14 November 2024S/RES/2759 | This resolution renewed MINUSCA’s mandate for one year until 15 November 2025. |
