Sudan War Complicates UN Plans to Reduce Peacekeepers in Central African Republic
The United Nations has warned that escalating violence linked to Sudan’s civil war is threatening security gains in the Central African Republic (CAR), raising concerns over plans to reduce the number of international peacekeepers deployed in the country. Valentine Rugwabiza, the UN’s top official in CAR, told the Security Council that renewed attacks in the country’s eastern regions could undermine ongoing stabilisation efforts and urged members to maintain adequate military support for the UN peacekeeping mission, MINUSCA.
The warning follows a June 30 attack by armed groups on Am-Dafock, a town bordering Sudan, which killed civilians and members of the Central African security forces, displaced about 17,000 people and injured six UN peacekeepers. Rugwabiza said the mission’s rapid intervention helped prevent further casualties and enabled government forces to regain control of the area after the attackers retreated into Sudan. The UN also reported continued insecurity in the northeast and southeast, including attacks attributed to suspected Lord’s Resistance Army fighters, with 68 civilians abducted between June and September, about 40 of them children.
Despite the deteriorating security situation, CAR has recorded progress in its peace process, with 1,907 former fighters disarmed and demobilised since July 2025. Municipal elections have also advanced, although some councils are yet to be established because of funding and logistical challenges. However, humanitarian needs remain severe, with nearly two million people facing acute food insecurity between April and August, while the country’s humanitarian response plan was less than half-funded as of early October.
The Security Council is expected to decide on renewing MINUSCA’s mandate before mid-November, amid disagreements over the pace of troop reductions. While some members support a smaller peacekeeping presence, others have warned that a premature withdrawal could expose vulnerable communities to further attacks. The UN Secretary-General has recommended extending the mission for another year while retaining the military capacity needed for rapid intervention, as regional instability continues to threaten the country’s fragile recovery.
