Disarmament remains on track in the Central African Republic (CAR) as national authorities concluded a three-day operation in the country’s capital Bangui, targeting combatants from several armed groups, with the support of the UN peacekeeping mission (MINUSCA).

Disarmament and demobilization operations were initially launched in several parts of the country in July 2025, mainly targeting the Retour, réclamation et réhabilitation (3R) and Unité pour la paix en Centrafrique (UPC) armed groups, following the signing of a peace agreement with the Government of the CAR which marked their return to the peace process (Accord politique pour la paix et la réconciliation en République centrafricaine (APPR-RCA).

Unique to the operations in Bangui, conducted from to 17 to 20 October by the National Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration, and Repatriation Programme Implementation Unit (UEPNDDRR), is the disarmament of ex-combatants belonging to several other armed groups at once – including anti-Balaka Mokom, Mouvement patriotique pour la Centrafrique (MPC) and from the recently self-dissolved anti-Balaka Ngaïssona wing, further advancing the CAR peace process.

In line with the national DDR strategy, the activities consisted of the verification and validation of combatants; the assessment of collected weapons and ammunition; official demobilization procedures and issuance of necessary documentation. This also included the disbursement of reinsertion allowances to demobilized combatants, as well as their referral to reintegration and/or integration pathways.  

UENPDDR Communication Officer Jules Gautier Ngbapo provided insight into the disarmament operations: “The DDR programme that the ex-combatants have joined is designed to restore peace to the CAR and is specifically intended for the 14 armed groups signatory to the CAR peace process. That is why we always ask the combatants which armed group they belonged to.”

He elaborated on the two possible pathways in the programme. “One is integration into the state’s uniformed bodies. You can become a police officer, a gendarme, or you can learn a trade as part of socio-economic reintegration. He added: “For those who choose socio-economic reintegration, to learn a new trade, the program lasts six months. At the end of the training, the ex-combatants receive kits worth $700, to launch income-generating activities, corresponding to the trade they plan to pursue."

20-year-old ex-combatant Yandoma reflected on her options after being disarmed. “I laid down my arms for my country, for peace. I would like to join the army to serve my country, or else choose sewing. I can also go back to school,” she said.

For his part, Mandebe, a member of the Anti-balaka Ngaïssona wing for the past six years, called on his fellow combatants to disarm after joining the disarmament process.

“The president asked us to come back to rebuild our country, that is what motivated me to lay down my arms. I appeal to my brothers who are still in the bush to come out and join the disarmament process, so that there can be peace and so that, together, we can rebuild our country.”

The disarmament and demobilization operation in Bangui was the first-of-its-kind in the country’s capital since current operations were launched and resulted in the disarmament of 97 ex-combatants, including 12 women, and the collection of 76 weapons of war.

Consistent with its mandate, MINUSCA provided multifaceted support, including technical assistance for the verification and registration of ex-combatants by Mission military observers; logistical support to ensure seamless operations, including funding for reinsertion allowance payments; and security measures to maintain a safe and secure environment throughout the exercise.

UENPDDR Communication Officer Jules Gautier Ngbapo underlined the essence of DDR: "What matters most to everyone is the peace that we are striving for. Former combatants will also have employment opportunities that will allow them to support themselves."

Ongoing disarmament efforts in various regions of the country continue to drive the renewed momentum in the peace process and further consolidate countrywide stabilization efforts.