UN Discussions on the Renewal of MINUSCA

By Marienne ZINGOUT | LAMINE MÉDIA
Translated into English by Karen Ann SULLIVAN l LNC


(New York, October 21, 2026 | LAMINE MÉDIA) Since last Tuesday, the UN Security Council has been engaged in discussions—continuing until November 15—regarding the terms for renewing the mandate of MINUSCA (the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic). On Tuesday, October 20, the head of the peacekeeping operation, Valentine Rugwabiza of Rwanda—who is set to step down from her post in a few days—briefed diplomats, striking a cautious tone. While she highlighted the progress made by Bangui, she nonetheless recommended maintaining MINUSCA at a sufficient force level, citing fragile security conditions in the northwest and southwest, and, most importantly, the inability of the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) to take over.
In her final briefing, Rugwabiza recommended a one-year extension for MINUSCA. This comes despite notable achievements, including the disarmament of over 1,900 combatants in the last 15 months, the establishment of a Central African interministerial committee, and significant progress in the decentralization of national institutions—though 50 municipalities still await formal establishment. Furthermore, two areas remain highly unstable: the northeast, around Am Dafok, and the tri-border region shared by the Central African Republic, Chad, and Sudan. Additionally, the presence of MINUSCA remains essential to support the Central African Armed Forces; for instance, during the armed offensive in Am Dafok on June 30, the operation would likely have ended in a fiasco had it relied solely on the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) without the intervention of UN peacekeepers. Aware that UN budgetary constraints might tempt diplomats to scale back the MINUSCA mission, the Central African Republic’s ambassador to the UN explained that Bangui lacks the financial means to assume full responsibility as long as threats persist. He proposed a joint assessment of the operational, institutional, and budgetary requirements for the mission.

For: LAMINE MEDIA (in FR and EN)
Date: 21 October 2026
X: x.com/...
Facebook: facebook.com/...
Copyright ©: 2013–2026 All rights reserved: LAMINE MEDIA

BACK