The Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo signed two military memorandums of understanding in Kinshasa on August 21, 2026, marking a significant step in their bilateral relations and prompting a strong reaction from Rwanda. These agreements, formalized in the Congolese capital, show a deepening military partnership between Bangui and Kinshasa. Following the signing of these agreements, the Rwandan government demanded the immediate withdrawal of its bilateral force deployed in the Central African Republic. This development comes as both nations strengthen their military cooperation, a move that has significant regional security implications.
CAR and DRC Forge Military Ties
The recent agreements build upon a foundation of prior cooperation. A military cooperation agreement was previously concluded on October 18, 2024, in Kinshasa between Central African Republic's Minister of Defense Rameaux-Claude Bireau and his Congolese counterpart Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita. That 2024 agreement specifically aimed to secure the common border, which spans over 1,600 kilometers, a vast and often porous frontier. Its objectives included targeting incursions by armed Mbororo herders and rebel fighters from the Central African Republic into Democratic Republic of Congo provinces, thereby addressing long-standing security concerns for both nations.
The memorandums signed in August 2026 further focus on enhancing military training and intelligence sharing between the two nations, aiming to improve their collective defense capabilities and operational coordination. These agreements also establish a strict non-aggression principle, a key component designed to ensure that neither territory can serve as a rear base for enemies of the other country. This principle is intended to foster mutual trust and prevent the use of one country's soil for destabilizing activities against the other. Emphasizing this commitment, the Central African Republic's Minister of Defense, Rameaux-Claude Bireau, explicitly stated that CAR territory will never serve as a rear base for hostile operations against the Democratic Republic of Congo, directly addressing a key point of contention in regional security.
Rwanda's Accusations and Concerns
Rwanda interprets the recent engagement between the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo as a direct defiance of its interests and a concession to Congolese accusations. This interpretation comes amidst persistent allegations from the Democratic Republic of Congo regarding Rwanda's military presence in the CAR. Public opinion and security circles within the DRC frequently accuse Rwanda of utilizing its forces in the Central African Republic as a rear base to support the M23 and AFC rebels operating in the eastern Congolese provinces. These accusations have been a recurring source of tension between Kigali and Kinshasa.
These accusations gained further traction earlier in the year following a drone attack on Kisangani airport. The incident fueled suspicions in Kinshasa that the operations had been launched from Central African Republic territory, further linking CAR to the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC. The Rwandan government views the new military pacts as an endorsement of these long-standing claims, intensifying diplomatic tensions between Kigali and Kinshasa, which have extended to their relations with Bangui. Rwanda perceives these agreements as a direct challenge to its regional influence and security posture.
Strategic Troop Roles and Alternatives
Despite the demand for withdrawal of its bilateral force, Rwanda plans to maintain its troops integrated within the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) for the time being. This distinction notes Rwanda's commitment to its peacekeeping obligations while protesting the bilateral agreements. Rwandan elite troops currently hold strategic functions in the Central African Republic, playing a critical role in the country's security apparatus. These functions include the close protection of the presidency, surveillance of the presidential palace, and intelligence coordination. These highly sensitive roles show the trust previously placed in Rwandan forces by the CAR government.
In light of the evolving diplomatic landscape and Rwanda's demand for withdrawal, Central African Republic authorities are now considering entrusting these sensitive posts to Africa Corps mercenaries. This potential shift reflects a reevaluation of security partnerships in Bangui. Military observers note that Russian mercenaries, which include the Africa Corps, lack the same operational capacity for close protection and surveillance as the Rwandan elite troops. This is primarily due to adaptation difficulties with the Central African Republic's high-luminosity conditions, which can impact surveillance and operational effectiveness, posing a challenge for the CAR in securing its leadership and critical infrastructure.
