Central African Republic
Expected Council Action
In February, the Security Council will hold a briefing and consultations on the Secretary-General’s latest report on the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). Special Representative for the Central African Republic (CAR) and Head of MINUSCA, Valentine Rugwabiza, is expected to brief.
Key Recent Developments
On 13 November 2025, the Security Council adopted resolution 2800, extending MINUSCA’s mandate for one year, until 15 November. The resolution was adopted with 14 votes in favour and one abstention (the US). (For more information, see our 12 November What’s in Blue story.)
In late November 2025, following the renewal of the mandate, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix visited the CAR. During his visit, he reportedly held discussions with the country’s authorities on MINUSCA’s work in support of CAR’s stability, despite prevailing financial constraints. Like all other UN peacekeeping missions, MINUSCA is affected by the UN’s liquidity crisis, and it has implemented contingency measures to address this challenge. Lacroix also met with political parties ahead of the combined 28 December 2025 presidential, legislative, and local elections, highlighting MINUSCA’s role in supporting the electoral processes.
In line with its mandate, MINUSCA provided logistical and technical support for the elections, including the transportation of ballot papers and other electoral materials to polling stations nationwide. The mission also supported civic education and voter awareness campaigns, and reinforced election security in coordination with the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) and the police. According to the National Election Authority (ANE), more than 2.4 million voters were registered to participate in the combined elections, with a reported turnout of 52 percent.
Based on provisional results for the presidential elections announced by the ANE on 5 January, President Faustin Touadéra reportedly won with 76 percent of the vote. He was widely expected to secure a third term following a controversial 2023 constitutional referendum that scrapped presidential term limits. The results were subsequently certified by the country’s constitutional court on 19 January, after which the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, congratulated Touadéra on his re-election. His inauguration has been scheduled for 30 March.
However, two former prime ministers who contested the presidential election reportedly rejected the results, alleging electoral fraud. Opposition parties and civil society organisations also raised concerns about the shrinking political space and the lack of inclusivity ahead of the elections. The main opposition coalition, the Bloc Républicain pour la Défense de la Constitution du 30 mars 2016 (BRDC), reportedly boycotted the electoral processes, citing concerns over their credibility and fairness.
With the support of MINUSCA, the CAR government has expanded its territorial control across much of the country. Nevertheless, insecurity persists in certain areas, particularly in the southeast, where armed group activity remains prevalent. In the northeast, spillover effects from the ongoing conflict in Sudan have also further exacerbated the country’s fragile security situation.
According to the AU, the elections were conducted peacefully overall, with the exception of the Haut-Mbomou prefecture in the southeast, where the security situation has remained precarious. This is largely due to the Azande Ani Kpi Gbe, a militia group accused of serious human rights violations, which media reports indicate has carried out targeted attacks against local security forces, state officials, soldiers and police, including on election day. The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) issued a statement reinforcing the AU’s observations but noted some logistical challenges and issues related to inclusion in the electoral processes.
Human Rights-Related Developments
On 30 November 2025, the MINUSCA Human Rights Division (HRD) released its monthly report on the human rights situation in the CAR. During the reporting period, the brief observed 232 violations and abuses of international human rights law (IHRL) and breaches of international humanitarian law (IHL). Of this number, 298 victims were affected, including 188 men, 25 women, 28 girls, 43 boys, and 14 groups of collective victims. Compared to October 2025, there was an increase in the number of violations/abuses (52%) as well as in the number of victims (3%) reported. The HRD also documented 28 cases of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), with some of these cases perpetrated alongside other human rights violations and abuses, involving cruel, inhumane treatment, abduction, and the recruitment and use of children.
In a 29 October 2025 press release, Yao Agbetse, the independent expert on the situation of human rights in the CAR, called for strengthening MINUSCA’s human rights mandate to support peacebuilding in the country. The expert warned that peace and development without human rights will most likely result in injustice and instability, ultimately sowing the seeds of future conflict. To that end, Agbetse urged the Security Council to ensure full and effective human rights mainstreaming across the entire UN system in the CAR, as well as to support the country in forging a credible, sustainable path toward peace, democracy, and the realisation of human rights for all, among other recommendations.
Key Issues and Options
A key issue for the Council is the conduct and outcome of the 28 December 2025 elections. A related issue is the post-election situation in the CAR. The Secretary-General’s upcoming report is expected to provide updates on the implementation of MINUSCA’s mandate in support of the electoral processes. Council members could consider issuing a press statement welcoming the holding of the combined elections, noting Touadéra’s re-election and encouraging all parties to address any electoral disputes through dialogue.
Despite improvements in the country’s overall peace and security situation, another important issue is insecurity linked to armed group activity that persists in parts of the CAR. In particular, Council members remain concerned about the security situation along the country’s borders, including the spillover effects of the conflict in Sudan. In this regard, they may reiterate their call for armed groups that are not signatories to the 2019 Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic (APPR-RCA by its French acronym) to lay down their arms and engage in the political process through dialogue.
Another key issue likely to be a focus following the general elections is the possible handover of certain MINUSCA tasks to the CAR government or the UN country team. Pursuant to resolution 2800, the Secretary-General is requested to submit a report with detailed proposals and recommendations by 15 September. In this context, there is particular interest in sunsetting the mission’s electoral division, and the Secretary-General is expected to include the mission’s plans in this regard in his report.
The UN’s liquidity crisis and its impact on the mission’s operational capacity remain an ongoing concern. The situation is likely to persist this year, requiring the mission to continue implementing austerity measures to mitigate its effects.
Some Council members have expressed concerns regarding the implementation of the Status of Forces Agreement (SoFA) and are likely to continue underscoring the need for the CAR government to comply with its provisions. The Secretary-General’s forthcoming report is expected to provide updates on this issue.
Council Dynamics
Council members support MINUSCA’s work and appreciate its contribution in stabilising the country. Most members are also concerned about the impact of the UN’s liquidity crisis on the mission’s work. At the Council’s 27 October 2025 meeting on the CAR, several members cautioned that the contingency measures implemented by the mission to mitigate the impact of the liquidity crisis could undermine its ability to fulfil its mandated tasks and risk reversing the security gains achieved in the country. The US, however, argued that in light of continued progress in the CAR, MINUSCA should begin working with the authorities in Bangui to gradually hand over its responsibilities.
The US also abstained on resolution 2800, expressing reservations about the one-year extension of the mission’s mandate. It instead favoured a six-month renewal, using the national elections as a key milestone for adjusting the mandate. The US also called for a larger reduction in troop levels, given progress on the ground, and stressed the need for a more realistic budget in the context of ongoing reform efforts and the UN liquidity crisis.
France is the penholder on the CAR.
| Security Council Resolutions | |
| 13 November 2025S/RES/2800 | This resolution renewed the mandate of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) for one year until 15 November 2026. |
| Security Council Meeting Records | |
| 28 October 2025S/PV.10025 | This was an open briefing on the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR). |
