Russia’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, delivered a comprehensive assessment of the security situation in the Central African Republic during a recent UN Security Council meeting, highlighting significant CAR stabilization progress achieved through sustained disarmament efforts. The Russian diplomat emphasized that the troubled Central African nation continues to show consistent improvement in establishing governmental control and reducing violence against civilians, while simultaneously issuing a stark warning about potential threats emanating from the ongoing crisis in neighboring Sudan.
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During his address to the Security Council, Nebenzya noted that the CAR stabilization progress has been achieved through collaborative efforts involving Russia, other bilateral partners, and the United Nations. The Russian representative specifically welcomed Bangui’s initiatives to advance the political process and extend state control throughout the national territory, marking a significant departure from the fragmented authority that has historically plagued the resource-rich but conflict-torn nation.
Disarmament Initiatives Drive Security Improvements
The centerpiece of the CAR stabilization progress has been the ongoing Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) program, which has successfully encouraged former militants to surrender their weapons and reintegrate into civilian society. This challenging process represents a critical step toward establishing lasting peace in a country that has been ravaged by armed conflict for over a decade. The DDR program has helped numerous former combatants transition from violent militancy to productive civilian life, contributing to measurable reductions in attacks against civilians.
According to Nebenzya’s statement, recent UN statistical estimates confirm a continuing decrease in crimes committed against civilians, providing concrete evidence of the CAR stabilization progress taking root across the country. This positive trend represents a significant achievement given the Central African Republic’s turbulent history, which has seen multiple coups, ethnic violence, and the proliferation of armed groups controlling vast swathes of territory outside government authority.
The CAR stabilization progress has also manifested in encouraging demographic indicators, with growing numbers of Central African refugees choosing to return to their homeland. This voluntary repatriation suggests that displaced populations increasingly perceive their country as safe enough to rebuild their lives, a powerful testament to the improving security environment. Russian military instructors, working alongside the Central African Armed Forces (FACA), have conducted operations to neutralize militants who refuse to participate in the disarmament process, demonstrating the government’s determination to consolidate security gains.
Sudan Crisis Poses Significant Threat to Regional Stability
Sudan Crisis Poses Significant Threat to Regional StabilityDespite the encouraging CAR stabilization progress, Nebenzya issued a serious warning about the deteriorating situation along the Central African Republic’s border with Sudan. The Russian diplomat characterized the ongoing military-political crisis in Sudan as a continuing threat to the fragile security improvements achieved in CAR. The porous border between the two nations has witnessed increased militant activity, particularly involving fighters from Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who have illegally crossed into Central African territory.
Nebenzya strongly condemned the unauthorized movement of RSF fighters into the sovereign territory of the Central African Republic and the crimes they have perpetrated against local populations. The spillover from Sudan’s internal conflict threatens to undermine the CAR stabilization progress by introducing new sources of violence and instability into border regions that have only recently begun experiencing relative peace. The Russian representative noted that one such cross-border incident resulted in the death of a UN peacekeeper from the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), underscoring the lethal consequences of this regional instability.
The deteriorating situation in Sudan, where fighting between rival military factions has created a humanitarian catastrophe, has already forced over 31,000 refugees to flee into the Central African Republic since April 2023. Many of these displaced persons have settled in remote areas beyond effective government control, creating additional challenges for maintaining the CAR stabilization progress and potentially providing recruitment opportunities for armed groups seeking to expand their influence.
International Partnerships and Peacekeeping Efforts
The CAR stabilization progress has been substantially supported by the presence of MINUSCA, which currently maintains over eighteen thousand peacekeepers operating throughout the country. This robust international force was established by the UN Security Council in April 2014 with a mandate to protect civilians and facilitate the disarmament of militia groups. MINUSCA has played a crucial role in creating space for the government to extend its authority and for humanitarian organizations to deliver essential services to vulnerable populations.
Russia’s involvement in supporting the CAR stabilization progress has included providing military training and operational support to Central African government forces. This assistance has helped strengthen the capacity of national security institutions to maintain order and respond to threats from armed groups that continue to operate in certain regions. The collaborative approach involving multiple international partners reflects the complex nature of achieving sustainable peace in the Central African Republic.
The CAR stabilization progress has also benefited from various peace agreements signed in recent years, including the 2019 Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation, which brought together the government and fourteen armed groups. While implementation of these agreements has faced challenges, they represent important frameworks for ongoing dialogue and conflict resolution. Several armed groups and militant factions have disbanded and integrated into the national reconciliation process, demonstrating the viability of peaceful solutions.
Ongoing Challenges and Future Prospects
Despite the notable CAR stabilization progress, significant challenges remain on the path toward lasting peace and stability. The humanitarian situation continues to be dire, with approximately 70 percent of the population living in extreme poverty and 3.4 million people requiring assistance. Infrastructure remains severely limited, particularly in rural areas where government presence is minimal or non-existent. The proliferation of small arms, historical ethnic tensions, and competition for natural resources continue to fuel localized conflicts.
The CAR stabilization progress must also contend with political controversies, including a 2023 referendum that removed presidential term limits, allowing President Faustin-Archange Touadéra to potentially remain in power indefinitely. Opposition groups have criticized this development as undermining democratic principles, raising questions about the country’s long-term political stability. Elections held in 2024 were marked by accusations of manipulation and concerns about security conditions in large portions of the country.
Looking forward, sustaining the CAR stabilization progress will require continued international support, strengthened national institutions, economic development opportunities for former combatants, and effective management of cross-border security threats. The situation in Sudan presents an immediate concern that could reverse recent gains if not addressed through regional cooperation and diplomatic engagement. Russia’s warning at the UN Security Council highlights the interconnected nature of regional security challenges and the need for comprehensive approaches that address both internal reforms and external threats to ensure the CAR stabilization progress continues its positive trajectory toward sustainable peace and prosperity for the long-suffering Central African population.
