COMMUNIQUE? 

Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1367^th meeting held on 1 September 2026 on the Review of the Situation in the Central African Republic (CAR).

The Peace and Security Council,

Recalling all its previous decisions and pronouncements on the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR), in particular, Communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM.1338 (2026)] adopted at its 1338^th meeting held on 9 April 2026, and Communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM.1302 (2025)] adopted at its 1302^nd meeting held on 19 September 2025;

Reaffirming the AU’s steadfast commitment to the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national unity of the CAR, as well as its solidarity with the Government and people of the CAR in their efforts toward durable peace, security, stability, national reconciliation, democratic governance, and sustainable development;

Underscoring the critical role of the AU as a guarantor of the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the CAR (PAPR-CAR), signed on 6 February 2019, and the importance of the continued implementation of the 2021 Joint Roadmap for Peace in the country;

Taking note of the opening remarks by H.E. Ambassador Hervé D. Djokpe, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Benin to the AU and Chairperson of the PSC of the AU for September 2026, as well as the introductory statement by H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS);

Also taking note of the statement by Her Excellency Mrs. Sylvie Valérie Baïpo-Témon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francophonie, and Central Africans Abroad of the CAR; further taking note of the statements by the Representative of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and by H.E. Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to the AU and Head of the UN Office to the AU (UNOAU); and

Acting Under Article 7 of its Protocol, the Peace and Security Council:

1. Commends the Government and people of the CAR for the successful conduct of the election cycle, marking a significant milestone in consolidating democratic governance, the rule of law, and constitutional order, and encourages all national stakeholders to maintain peaceful engagement and dialogue to foster national cohesion;

2. Welcomes the progress made in consolidating peace and stability, notably through the implementation of the PAPR-CAR, the 2021 Joint Roadmap, Security Sector Reform (SSR), and the voluntary disarmament of former combatants under the Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration and Repatriation (DDRR) programme; and encourages the Government, with AU, MINUSCA, and partner support, to sustain these efforts with a focus on sustainable socio-economic reintegration;

3. Reiterates the provisions of Article 35 of the PAPR-CAR regarding sanctions for non-compliance; in this regard, urges all armed groups outside the process to cease hostilities, renounce violence, and fully commit to the Agreement, and reaffirms the AU’s commitment as a Guarantor to accompany the CAR toward durable peace and national reconciliation;

4. Reiterates the imperative of ensuring the inclusive, meaningful, and effective participation of women and youth across all stages of the peace process and national reconciliation initiatives;

5. Expresses deep concern over persistent insecurity in peripheral and border areas, specifically parts of Vakaga, Haut-Mbomou, and Mbomou, due to residual armed groups, criminal networks, and recurring attacks; in this context, condemns all attacks against civilians, security forces, and peacekeepers, and demands the immediate and unconditional release of all political detainees, specifically the Sub-Prefect of Bambouti and two National Electoral Authority (ANE) officials arbitrarily detained since 28 December 2025;

6. Underscores the need to strengthen the effective presence of the State nationwide by deploying defence forces, expanding civilian administration, delivering basic public services, and continuing measures to dismantle illegal checkpoints to facilitate the free movement of people and economic activity;

7. Expresses deep concern over persistent external interference compromising national sovereignty, fueling violence, and leading to the illegal exploitation of natural resources; reaffirms its unwavering commitment to sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the CAR, demanding that all external actors refrain from destabilizing actions;

8. Stresses the importance of strengthening bilateral and regional cooperation and information-sharing with neighboring countries to effectively combat cross-border insecurity, illicit trafficking, and the movement of armed networks;

9. Commends MINUSCA for its crucial role in civilian protection, DDR, state extension, and humanitarian access, and takes note of ongoing transition planning for the transfer of responsibilities to national institutions, underscoring that this process must be gradual, coordinated, and conditions-based to prevent security voids;

10. Stresses the critical need for active AU involvement and consultation in formulating, planning, and implementing the MINUSCA transition plan; in the same context, recalls its request for the AU Commission to conduct a comprehensive study on the impact of MINUSCA’s drawdown;

11. Requests the Commission to assess UN Security Council Resolution 2719 (2023) in coordination with the A3 to explore its activation in support of CAR peace efforts;

12. Reiterates the need for enhanced coordination and complementarity among the AU, ECCAS, the UN, and international partners to ensure a unified post-conflict stabilization strategy;

13. Expresses concern over ongoing humanitarian challenges facing vulnerable populations and appeals to AU Member States and international partners for urgent financial and material support; as well as requests the AU Commission Department of HHS and the PRC Sub-Committee on Refugees, Migrants, and IDPs to extend targeted humanitarian assistance and support;

14. Calls upon AU Member States and international partners to support priority projects under the CAR National Development Plan 2024–2028; in the same context, requests AUDA-NEPAD to formulate a dedicated roadmap for practical project support, and encourages the AU Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) Centre to deploy quick-impact interventions to rebuild public trust and prevent conflict relapse;

15. Reiterates its request to the Chairperson of the AU Commission to prioritize the immediate allocation of financial, technical and staffing resources to fully operationalize the AU Liaison Office in Bangui;

16. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

COMMENTS