CAR: Head of peace operations warns against premature withdrawal of UN peacekeepers
Bangui, Central African Republic (PANA) - During a visit to Bangui, the UN peacekeeping chief on Saturday praised the "positive trajectory" of the Central African Republic (CAR), where peacekeepers have been deployed since the civil war that shook the country a decade ago. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, however, warned against the risks of a premature withdrawal of the mission to ensure regional stability.
“The prevailing general impression … is that the Central African Republic is on a positive trajectory,” the senior official stated in a filmed interview from the Central African capital. This is a rare note of optimism in a region destabilised by the bloody conflict in neighboring Sudan and the increasing number of attacks by jihadist groups across the Sahel.
Among the progress achieved, Mr. Lacroix cites the recent disarmament of several armed groups, the strengthening of the state's presence throughout the country, and the preparations for the general elections of 28 December, which he considers "a very important step". This momentum, he asserts, is accompanied by a "unanimous recognition" of the central role of MINUSCA.
The UN mission was deployed to the country in 2014, a year after the Seleka, a Muslim coalition that has since been officially dissolved, seized power by force. The abuses committed by the Seleka at that time led to the formation of predominantly Christian militias, known as anti-Balaka, which targeted Muslim civilians in the country.
Despite the deployment of UN peacekeepers, the establishment of a peace process, and the holding of elections in 2016, instability continues to plague the country, UN News reported. A large part of the territory remains under the control of armed groups, despite the agreement signed in 2019 between 14 of them and the government.
But a turning point is emerging: two of the most active movements, the Union for Peace in the Central African Republic (UPC) and the Return, Reclamation and Rehabilitation (3R) group, agreed to lay down their arms in April. In total, 11 of the 14 militias that signed the 2019 agreement have been officially dissolved, with logistical and technical support from MINUSCA.
But this trajectory is not without its tensions, particularly financial ones. The mission, which has more than 13,000 troops, is not receiving all of the mandatory financial contributions owed by UN member states. "What's happening is a cash availability problem," said Lacroix. Adding to this liquidity crisis are the recent cuts to the UN peacekeeping budget. "Missions, including MINUSCA, must save 15% of their money," he specified. On the ground, this translates into reduced capabilities, whether military, civilian, or police-related.
In a country where electoral logistics depend in part on MINUSCA – in terms of voter registration, security of polling stations or transport of materials – the risk is obvious.
The head of peacekeeping operations, however, insisted on the purpose of these cuts: “This cost-saving effort … is in no way a signal of disengagement from MINUSCA. On the contrary, it is something we are doing to preserve MINUSCA’s commitment.” Without adjustments, he warned, the mission could find itself “forced to cease its operations before the end of our fiscal year, due to a lack of funds”.
These announcements have rekindled fears in Bangui and several other prefectures of an early withdrawal of the mission. Lacroix is adamant: "A premature departure would risk jeopardizing all the important achievements and progress made in the Central African Republic."
He describes a threatening regional environment, where the civil war in Sudan to the east, the fragility of neighbouring South Sudan, and, to the west, the security crises of the Sahel, where numerous terrorist groups are active, intersect. In this context, he asserts, the stabilisation of the Central African Republic "is also critical for the stability of the region".
With less than a month until the election, the challenges are mounting. The mission is working with other partners on logistics, security, and combating disinformation. It says it has heard the warnings from the national elections agency, particularly regarding "negative messages", "hate messages", and the difficulty of explaining to the public an election that is "multi-level, four-level".
The timetable, however, is non-negotiable. "Determining the election date is a sovereign decision of the Central African authorities," Lacroix points out. At the UN, the watchword is to support the authorities.
In November, the Security Council asked the UN Secretary-General to submit a report by 15 September, 2026, on the future of MINUSCA. Until then, the mission will have to continue its support while adjusting its priorities. "MINUSCA must continue to operate in the Central African Republic," Mr. Lacroix stated, while emphasizing the need to "adapt the system" to the country's evolving needs.
-0- PANA MA 2Dec2025
