The mandate for the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic (Minusca) is set to expire on 15 November 2026. Valentine Rugwabiza, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for the Central African Republic, reported to the Security Council on 20 October 2026 that violence is escalating in the east of the country. Security concerns remain heightened due to the geography of the region, where the Central African Republic and Sudan share approximately 170km of border. Members of the Security Council are currently evaluating the future of the peacekeeping mission in light of these reported security challenges.
Security Challenges and Border Violence
An attack on 30 June 2026 in Am-Dafock resulted in the displacement of 17,000 people and injuries to six UN peacekeepers. The violence in the town occurred as insecurity persists across the border region. Separately, the UN recorded 26 serious incidents between June and September 2026 attributed to suspected Lord’s Resistance Army fighters. These documented events included the abduction of 68 civilians during the four-month period.
Jess Jambert-Gray, the UK’s Deputy Political Coordinator, addressed the ongoing security environment during recent discussions regarding the peacekeeping mission. "The process must be gradual, conditions-based, carefully sequenced, and guided by realities on the ground," said Jess Jambert-Gray. The Security Council continues to review these reports as it weighs the future presence of international forces in the area.
Humanitarian Crisis and Resource Gaps
Approximately 416,000 people are currently internally displaced within the Central African Republic. This figure reflects the ongoing scale of instability affecting populations across the country.
Food insecurity also remains a significant concern for the region. Between April and August 2026, two million people faced acute food insecurity, a number representing 31 percent of the total population. These conditions have placed additional pressure on local communities as international agencies attempt to manage the resulting humanitarian needs.
Financial limitations continue to complicate these efforts. The UN humanitarian response plan for the Central African Republic was 46.6 percent funded at the start of October 2026. This shortfall leaves a substantial portion of the planned aid operations without the necessary resources to support those affected by the ongoing crisis. The Security Council continues to assess these gaps alongside the broader requirements of the peacekeeping mission.
Progress and Mission Mandate Outlook
Minusca maintains a deployment of more than 12,000 peacekeepers across the Central African Republic to support regional stability and protection efforts. These international forces operate under the current mandate as the Security Council evaluates the future presence of the mission.
Ongoing disarmament and demobilisation efforts have also targeted armed groups operating within the country. Authorities have disarmed and demobilised more than 1,900 fighters since July 2025. These figures track the progress of security initiatives aimed at reducing the number of active combatants in the field. The Security Council continues to monitor these outcomes alongside the broader security challenges reported by Valentine Rugwabiza. Officials are balancing these operational statistics against the persistent violence and humanitarian pressures identified in the recent assessments of the region. The future status of the mission remains under review as members assess the impact of these ongoing programmes ahead of the 15 November 2026 expiration date.
