Central African Republic
Expected Council Action
In June, 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 25 February, Rugwabiza briefed the Council, focusing on the combined presidential, legislative, and local elections held in the CAR in December 2025 and MINUSCA’s support for the organisation of those elections in accordance with its mandate. The chair of the CAR configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission, Ambassador Omar Hilale (Morocco), also briefed, noting that the CAR has entered “a decisive phase in terms of consolidation, confidence and national cohesion”. (For more information, see our 20 February What’s in Blue story.)
President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, who won a third term, was sworn in during an inauguration ceremony held in Bangui on 30 March in the presence of regional leaders. Under the country’s new constitution, which entered into effect in August 2023, the presidential term lasts seven years. On 16 May, Touadéra reportedly reappointed Félix Moloua as Prime Minister, and on 21 May. Moloua formed a new cabinet.
On 26 April, the second round of legislative and local elections was held in the CAR. MINUSCA provided support for the electoral process, including transporting electoral materials and personnel, conducting outreach activities, and helping to ensure security for the peaceful conduct of the elections in collaboration with the CAR security and defence forces. In a 27 April statement, Rugwabiza welcomed the holding of these elections throughout the country, including in areas where voting could not take place in December 2025 due to insecurity. She also noted that the mission had fully and successfully implemented its mandate in support of the electoral process.
Following the conclusion of the national electoral processes, MINUSCA is conducting a reconfiguration “to evolve gradually toward a phase of supporting the Central African authorities in order to consolidate the gains made in terms of security, peace, access, and State authority”, according to a 6 May briefing by the mission’s spokesperson. The mission has prioritised facilitating the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) of former combatants from two armed groups—the Retour, Réclamation et Réhabilitation (3R) and l’Unité pour la paix en Centrafrique (UPC)—which last year decided to rejoin the 2019 Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic (APPR-RCA). According to the Secretary-General’s February report, 1,202 former combatants have been disarmed and demobilised since July 2025, bringing the total number of demobilised ex-combatants to 6,000 since the APPR-RCA was signed.
Following the cessation of hostilities by the 3R and the UPC, there has been a noticeable decline in security incidents, particularly in the west and north-east. However, insecurity persists in other parts of the country, driven by armed group activities around mining sites and transhumance corridors, as well as cross-border incursions along the borders with Sudan and South Sudan. In the south-east, violence perpetrated by the Azande Ani Kpi Gbe (AAKG)—a predominantly ethnic Azande militia accused of committing serious human rights violations—remains a major concern.
Key Issues and Options
A key issue for Council members is how to support the CAR in consolidating its political and security gains to ensure long-term peace and stability. In this regard, Council members are likely to emphasise the need for sustained support for ongoing efforts to implement security sector reform, DDR, and justice and rule of law reforms, as well as the promotion of economic recovery and development through support for the country’s 2024–2028 national development plan.
A possible option for the Colombian Security Council presidency in June would be to invite Hilale to brief the Council on his visit to Bangui from 30 March to 2 April and his series of engagements with the CAR authorities and other relevant stakeholders aimed at consolidating the gains achieved.
Another issue likely to be a focus of Council members, following the conclusion of the electoral processes, would be the possible handover of certain MINUSCA tasks in a gradual, phased, and responsible manner 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 for such a transition 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.
Despite improvements in the country’s overall peace and security situation, another important issue is the ongoing insecurity linked to armed group activity that persists in parts of the CAR. Council members remain particularly concerned about the security situation along the country’s borders, including the spillover effects of the conflict in Sudan. In this regard, they could consider a press statement reiterating their call for armed groups that are not signatories to the APPR-RCA to lay down their arms and engage in the political process through dialogue.
The UN’s liquidity crisis and its impact on the mission’s operational capacity remain an ongoing concern. In February, Rugwabiza explained the contingency measures implemented by the mission to enforce strict expenditure controls, which have affected the resources for implementing its mandated tasks, including the protection of civilians, support to the electoral process, and disarmament and demobilisation operations. She also elaborated on the Mission’s readjusted footprint, taking into account the reduction of uniformed personnel because of the liquidity crisis. Members may choose to discuss the impact of the liquidity crisis on the mission with Rugwabiza during the consultations.
Council Dynamics
Council members support MINUSCA’s work and appreciate its contribution to stabilising the country. They also recognise that the CAR has entered a new phase of consolidation that requires building the country’s capacity to gradually assume security responsibilities. In this regard, they may continue to underscore the importance of ensuring that this process consolidates the gains made in recent years and avoids any possibility of reversal.
However, most members are concerned about the impact of the UN’s liquidity crisis on the mission’s work. During the February Council meeting, Pakistan, a major troop- and police-contributing country (TCC), drew attention to the financial burden on TCCs due to delayed reimbursement of personal costs.
At that meeting, the US—which abstained on the vote in November 2025 on a resolution renewing the mission’s mandate—maintained that MINUSCA should cease efforts that are not necessary and transfer responsibilities to the CAR authorities or other stakeholders where possible. During the negotiations, it had pushed for a larger reduction in troop levels given progress on the ground. For its part, China stressed the need for the Council to make a realistic assessment of the situation in the country in close consultation with the CAR government and consider optimising MINUSCA’s mandate and size at the appropriate time to steadily advance its transition.
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. |
| 25 February 2026S/PV.10111 | This was an open briefing on the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR). |
