Central African Republic: UN expert acknowledges efforts to respect human rights, highlights over-reliance on external aid, urges economic and governance reforms

GENEVA – A UN expert recognised ongoing commitment to enhance the respect of human rights in the Central African Republic (CAR) while cautioning against over-reliance on international development assistance, saying it could hinder progress on human rights, transitional justice, long-term stability and development ahead of crucial elections later this year.

“There is an urgent need to develop national capacity for domestic revenue generation and to prioritise local governance reforms to tackle corruption, taxation, and the management of the mining and fuel sectors,” said Yao Agbetse, the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Central African Republic, in a statement at the end of a 10-day visit to the country.

Agbetse noted the commitment of authorities to organise local elections before the end of the year. In this regard, he called on all partners to continue to support the Government and people of the CAR. “We need to start thinking now about the reforms needed to transfer resources to local authorities,” he said.

“The upcoming local elections will be crucial for the future of the country,” the expert said. “The meaningful participation of communities, including women and youth, in the management of local affairs and the strengthening of democracy at the local level will be essential.”

Agbetse stressed the importance of local governance as a tool for restoring and consolidating state authority and accelerating the development agenda. “The National Development Plan (2024-2028) is key to sustainable peace and stability,” he said. He called on all technical and financial partners to support the priority programmes and projects selected for the implementation of the National Plan for the benefit of the Central African people, in particular women and young people.

The expert welcomed the law on the protection of human rights defenders adopted in December 2024 and called for its promulgation into law.

Agbetse called for continued support for the National Commission on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and urged authorities to finalise the process of appointing new commissioners to the Truth, Justice, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (CVJRR). “The Government should put in place a strategy for political and financial support to the reconstituted CVJRR,” he said, encouraging partners to support the Commission, including in the establishment of the Reparations Fund for Victims.

The expert who visited Haut Mbomou Prefecture during his mission noted that, despite significant progress in terms of security, there were still hotspots of tension, such as in Haut-Mbomou, where actions related to Azandé Ani Kpi Gbe (AAKG) and Wagner Ti Azande (WTA) could have an impact on long-term security, respect for human rights, protection of civilians and social cohesion. On 22 January 2025, the killing of 12 herders in an attack on their camp 10 km from Mboki was allegedly attributed to the WTA/AAKG. He also expressed concerns over other incidents implicating armed groups in human rights abuses in the Lim Pende Prefecture.

Agbetse urged authorities to scale up the deployment of well-resourced and equipped Central African Armed Forces (FACA) in areas of tension and on the borders with Chad, Sudan, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is essential to protect the territorial integrity of the CAR and to address other security-related challenges such as transhumance-related violence.

The Independent Expert warned of security concerns in neighbouring countries and their impact on the CAR, in particular the influx of Chadian asylum seekers in the north, the continued arrival of more than 33,629 Sudanese asylum seekers in the Vakaga region in the northeast, and the management of South Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers in the south in the Haut-Mbomou region.

“New and effective strategies are needed for the voluntary, safe and sustainable return of Central African refugees and IDPs to their country and region of origin, with a focus on long-term support and empowerment, such as Government approach as part of the national sustainable solutions strategy,” he said.