Central African Republic: Vote on a Draft Resolution Extending the 2745 Sanctions Regime*
On Tuesday morning (29 July), the Security Council is expected to vote on a draft resolution extending the sanctions measures imposed on armed groups operating in the Central African Republic (CAR) until 31 July 2026, and the mandate of the Panel of Experts monitoring the implementation of these measures until 31 August 2026.
Background
Last year, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2745 of 30 July 2024, which lifted the arms embargo on the CAR. The resolution also extended all other targeted sanctions measures against armed groups and associated individuals until 31 July 2025, while further strengthening these measures. (For background and more information, see our 29 July 2024 What’s in Blue story.)
The 2745 Sanctions Committee met on 11 June to consider the midterm and final reports of its Panel of Experts, submitted on 26 December 2024 and 6 May, respectively. The midterm report details the dynamics among armed groups, with a particular focus on internal divisions within the Coalition des patriotes pour le changement (CPC), the main rebel alliance in the CAR. It also outlines how the expansion of state authority in the western part of the country has weakened the influence of armed groups, notably by reducing their control over key gold and diamond mining sites. Furthermore, the report highlights the impact of the ongoing conflict in Sudan, noting that armed groups in eastern CAR are leasing their fighters as mercenaries, including to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), to generate revenue and support.
The final report also elaborates on the regional spillover, which it says has undermined stability in various parts of the CAR and affected the domestic political scene. In this regard, it refers to continued violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law committed by the Azande Ani Kpi Gbé (AAKG) militia, which has partially integrated into the CAR Armed Forces (FACA), including extrajudicial killings and targeted violence against civilians. It also mentions the attacks perpetrated by armed groups against UN peacekeepers. As the CAR prepares to hold local, legislative, and presidential elections by the end of this year amid persistent security challenges, the report notes the government’s efforts to reach out to armed groups to secure a ceasefire and create conditions conducive for the holding of peaceful elections. (For more information, see our 25 June What’s In Blue story.)
Additionally, the final report addresses the issue of trafficking in natural resources. Although the Kimberley Process—a multilateral trade regime established in 2003 to prevent the flow of conflict diamonds—lifted its suspension of diamond exports from the CAR on 15 November 2024, the report expresses concern over “poor traceability and the continued risk of conflict minerals entering the legitimate supply chain”.
During the 11 June sanctions committee meeting at which the two reports were discussed, Council members apparently acknowledged the progress achieved in the CAR, including the extension of state authority over the country, while also recognising the need for continued vigilance. In this context, they expressed support for maintaining the sanctions measures, particularly given the still fragile security situation, and emphasised the importance of assisting the CAR authorities in combating armed groups and strengthening control over border areas.
Draft Resolution
It seems that France, the penholder on the 2745 sanctions regime, consulted with the CAR to propose a straightforward one-year renewal of the sanctions regime and the mandate of the Panel of Experts. This was made possible by the significant changes introduced last year, notably the lifting of the arms embargo on the CAR government, through the adoption of resolution 2745—the first unanimous vote on the file in four years. Apparently, the CAR, which welcomed the Council’s decision at the time, fully supported France’s proposal this year.
On 15 July, France circulated a short draft resolution extending the sanctions measures established under resolution 2745 until 31 July 2026 and renewing the mandate of the Panel of Experts until 31 August 2026. The penholder held bilateral consultations with Council members and convened a brief negotiation session on 17 July, which apparently proceeded smoothly. The draft text received broad support, with members noting that the CAR had already expressed its agreement with the penholder’s approach. The text was subsequently placed under silence until 21 July, which it passed. It was then put in blue for a scheduled vote on Tuesday morning.
________________________________________________________________
**Post-script: On 29 July, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2789, extending the sanctions measures imposed on armed groups operating in the Central African Republic (CAR) until 31 July 2026, and the mandate of the Panel of Experts monitoring the implementation of these measures until 31 August 2026.
