Revival of peace process in CAR threatened by regional instability
New York, US (PANA) - With two months to go before the general elections scheduled for 28 December, the Central African Republic (CAR) seems to be regaining some political momentum.
But the head of the UN mission in the country (MINUSCA), Valentine Rugwabiza, warns that the situation remains fragile, threatened by the war in neighbouring Sudan and by budget restrictions that limit the mission's operations.
“The peace process has regained momentum and made significant progress since the ceasefire agreement of April 19,” Ms. Rugwabiza noted on Tuesday during a Security Council meeting. Concluded in N'Djamena, Chad, between the CAR government and the two most active armed groups in the CAR – the Union for Peace in the Central African Republic (UPC) and the Return, Reclamation and Rehabilitation (3R) group – this agreement marked a resumption of dialogue after years of violence.
The Central African Republic descended into chaos in March 2013 when the Séléka, a predominantly Muslim coalition, seized power in Bangui. The atrocities committed by this alliance, officially dissolved the same year, led to the formation of the predominantly Christian anti-Balaka militias, which subsequently targeted Muslim civilians accused of collusion.
Despite the deployment of MINUSCA peacekeepers in 2014, the start of a peace process, and the 2016 elections that brought Faustin-Archange Touadéra to the presidency, instability persists.
UN News reported that much of the country remains under the control of armed groups. In 2019, 14 of these groups signed a peace agreement with the government, which has been violated numerous times, notably by the UPC and 3R.
In this context, the demobilization of these two groups following the agreement signed in April marked a turning point. "With these dissolutions, 11 of the 14 armed groups that signed the 2019 political agreement have now officially laid down their arms," Ms. Rugwabiza stated.
Since July, more than 700 UPC, 3R, and anti-Balaka fighters have been disarmed and demobilised, thanks to logistical and technical support from MINUSCA. This limited but tangible progress is giving new impetus to the peace process as the December elections approach.
The presidential, legislative, regional, and municipal elections scheduled for 28 December represent a crucial test for the country's stability. Voter registration is now complete: 2.3 million voters, nearly half of whom are women, are registered. However, the election budget still shows a deficit of approximately $12 million.
Ms. Rugwabiza urged donors to act without delay: "I call on partners to mobilise urgent resources so that the elections can be held on time, in a credible and secure manner."
Besides the lack of resources, logistical difficulties and persistent insecurity in several prefectures cast doubt on whether the vote will take place.
Northeastern CAR, bordering Sudan, is now exposed to the spillover of the Sudanese civil war, which has been raging since April 2023.
“Incursions and attacks on villages have caused massive displacement of civilians around the temporary MINUSCA base in Am Dafok,” reported Ms. Rugwabiza, who visited the area in early October. Joint interventions by the mission and local communities have enabled the voluntary return of some of the displaced, but the situation remains volatile.
Further southeast, in Haut-Mbomou, the armed group Azande Ani Kpi Gbe (AAKG) continues its attacks against national forces, MINUSCA, and civilians. Humanitarian workers report extremely precarious access conditions, exacerbated by intercommunal tensions and a lack of infrastructure.
On the financial front, MINUSCA is facing severe budget cuts, which are complicating its response to the ongoing attacks by armed groups. "We have been instructed to reduce spending by 15% for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, including through immediate staff reductions and the limitation of certain activities," said Ms. Rugwabiza.
These restrictions weaken a mission already stretched to its limit. For its head, MINUSCA nevertheless remains "central to the consolidation of security and peace in the Central African Republic", but also a "bulwark against regional instability".
In this context, the mission is now focusing its efforts on three priorities: the protection of civilians, support for the electoral process and support for the disarmament and reintegration of ex-combatants.
-0- PANA MA 29Oct2025
