Central African Republic (Q2 2026): Institutional Stabilization, a Security Reshuffle, and Border Challenges

Politics, Elections, and Governance

Following President Faustin-Archange Touadéra’s official inauguration for a new term on March 30, the quarter brought the electoral cycle to a close. On April 26, the country successfully held the second round of partial legislative, regional, and municipal elections, including in areas previously disrupted by insecurity.

The executive branch was reshuffled on May 16, when President Touadéra reappointed Félix Moloua as Prime Minister. Moloua formed a new cabinet on May 21, with a mandate focused on economic recovery and implementation of the National Development Plan (2024-2028).

National Security and Regional Dynamics

Addressing the UN Security Council in June, UN representative Valentine Rugwabiza praised tangible progress toward peace. The Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration process registered the surrender of more than 1,300 former combatants from the 3R and UPC armed groups, contributing to an overall decline in incidents in the west and northeast of the country.

Despite this progress, the situation remained fragile. The conflict in neighboring Sudan continues to drive significant refugee flows and armed group incursions into the Vakaga prefecture. In the southeast, in Haut-Mbomou, the Azande Ani Kpi Gbe militia remained active, carrying out several attacks on civilians and obstructing humanitarian movement.

Public Health and Humanitarian Issues

On April 22, Bangui hosted the country’s first-ever National Forum on Family Planning, chaired by the presidential couple. The event set out steps to improve sexual and reproductive health indicators, which remain particularly weak in rural areas.

As in neighboring countries, the Central African government and the WHO significantly stepped up epidemiological coordination and preparedness mechanisms from May onward to guard against any imported Ebola cases from the Great Lakes subregion.

Cooperation and Development

In June, the African Development Bank approved new environmental assessment reports for Phase II of the project to modernize Bangui M’Poko International Airport, aimed at improving transport connectivity and strengthening national civil aviation safety.

In short: the Central African Republic reached a key milestone toward institutional legitimacy in the second quarter of 2026 by completing its local and legislative elections. While the economy is benefiting from modernization projects like the Bangui airport and gradual rebel disarmament in the west, the country urgently needs to contain the humanitarian and security fallout from the Sudanese conflict along its borders.