Central African Republic continues to present one of most complicated security pictures on continent. UN peacekeeping mission has received another year extension, Russian military presence through Africa Corps structure is expanding, and national elections held in late 2025 have added new layer of uncertainty to already fragile situation.
In November 2025, UN Security Council voted to extend mandate of MINUSCA mission for additional year, establishing troop ceiling of 14,046 military personnel and 2,999 police officers. Mission will continue performing its main function — protection of civilian population and support for CAR peace process — with particular attention now turning to period following December 2025 national elections. Discussions on future drawdown of mission have also begun.
Russia's Africa Corps — organisation which replaced former Wagner Group — is continuing to expand its presence and influence in country. This development is raising concerns among international observers regarding reported abuses in areas connected to mining operations and growing economic pressure on state structures. UN Security Council extended existing sanctions against non-state armed actors and specific individuals operating in CAR until July 2026.
Presence of Boko Haram already established across CAR, Cameroon and Chad territory is creating security corridor of serious concern stretching through central and northern parts of region. Absence of functioning state institutions creates conditions in which extremist organisations and criminal networks can establish operational bases threatening stability beyond CAR borders.
In April 2026, AU Peace and Security Council moved into post-electoral review mode regarding CAR, redirecting focus from election preparations toward assessment of political, security and humanitarian conditions emerging after December 2025 polls.
