Jean-Jacques Demafouth Appointed to ECCAS

By Eve MALONGA | LNC

Translated into English by Isabella Luisa CAPELLI l LAMINE MÉDIA

(Bangui, August 27, 2026 | LAMINE MÉDIA) Jean-Jacques Demafouth, the former Central African minister, is returning to the public stage; he has been appointed diplomatic advisor to the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). This role offers him an opportunity to leverage his connections within the African Union.

He will be based in Gabon, where the organization is headquartered. His appointment took place in Addis Ababa on the sidelines of the 49th session of the African Union Executive Council, held on July 28 and 29. Discussions regarding his entry into ECCAS reportedly took shape in the Ethiopian capital when—according to Jeune Afrique—Ezéchiel Nibigira approached Sylvie Baïpo-Temon, the Central African Republic’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. The request from the Burundian President of the ECCAS Commission was unequivocal: he wished to entrust Demafouth with a role within the organization's diplomatic apparatus. This appointment is significant, as his connections could facilitate dialogue beJean-Jacques Demafouth Appointed to ECCAStween ECCAS and pan-African institutions, and the Burundian President knows him well. Bangui has also backed the move, as his entry into a regional institution offers a chance to strengthen the Central African Republic’s diplomatic presence and influence within sub-regional decision-making mechanisms.

In his capacity as diplomatic advisor—a role that remains somewhat loosely defined—he is expected to support the ECCAS presidency and Commission on matters requiring diplomatic negotiation, arbitration, political consultation, or mediation between member states. Furthermore, he is expected to play a role within ECCAS’s various bodies. This new role places him at the heart of regional security dynamics, acting as a direct link between Bangui and regional institutions. His return to the forefront comes at a time when his experience as a mediator is in high demand. The key geopolitical challenges associated with his mission include:

- Internal mediation: Reviving dialogue with Central African armed factions that did not sign previous agreements. - Crisis diplomacy: Stabilizing the CAR's border areas, particularly hotspots along the borders with Sudan and Chad. - Military coordination: Harmonizing ECCAS interventions with African Union forces on the ground.

For: LAMINE MEDIA (in FR and GB)

Date: August 27, 2026

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