The head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic (CAR) has warned the Security Council against pulling troops out too quickly, as violence from Sudan's war spills across the border. Valentine Rugwabiza, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative, briefed the Council on 20 October 2026, urging it to "maintain MINUSCA with adequate force levels and capabilities," according to UN News.
Why the warning now
- On 30 June, an armed group attacked the border town of Am-Dafock, killing civilians and security personnel, displacing 17,000 people and wounding six peacekeepers. The attackers briefly held the town before retreating into Sudan.
- Between June and September, 68 civilians, about 40 of them children, were abducted in the southeast by suspected members of the Lord's Resistance Army. Three hostages, including a local official, were released on Monday.
- Nearly 2 million people, 31% of the population, faced acute food insecurity between April and August, and the UN's humanitarian appeal was only 46.6% funded in early October.
Signs of progress
MINUSCA, which has more than 12,000 peacekeepers, has closed several bases in more stable areas and handed duties to national forces. Since July 2025, 1,907 fighters have been disarmed and demobilised. Municipal councils have been installed in 127 of 177 municipalities, with the remaining local elections due on 25 October, according to UN News and Africanews.
Rugwabiza said the new local authorities "urgently need capacity building from development partners."
A divided Security Council
The United States is arguing for larger troop reductions, while other Council members warn against a hasty withdrawal, UN News reported. The UN Secretary-General has recommended a one-year extension that keeps the mission's rapid-response capability.
What happens next
The Security Council must decide whether to renew MINUSCA's mandate before mid-November. A sharp cut could leave border areas exposed as Sudan's conflict continues.
