Mandate, Activities, Achievements and Perspectives 

In the aftermath of several years of conflict and violence in the Central African Republic, State institutions including the judiciary and prisons were either completely destroyed or seriously weakened, providing a fertile ground for impunity for the perpetrators of serious violations of human rights. Where they still existed, prisons typically suffer from extreme overcrowding, lack of food, absence of adequate medical care and poor sanitation. It is essential when building lasting peace and security to have functioning courts and prisons, and to ensure the accountability of the judiciary and prison institutions. 

Rooted in MINUSCA’s mandate (Article 33. a) of Res. 2217 (2015) and in the Memorandum of Understanding signed on 5 – 7 August 2014 with the Transitional Authorities of the Central African Republic, the Justice and Corrections Section carries out the following activities to support the Transitional Authorities to rebuild the country’s justice and correctional institutions: 

Support to the Special Criminal Court: 

Faced with impunity and the weakness of Central African institutions, in August 2014, the Government of the Central African Republic (CAR) and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) signed a memorandum of understanding, in which the Central African Government committed itself to creating, by law, a hybrid criminal court with the assistance of MINUSCA to investigate, prosecute and try individuals responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in CAR since 2003. The Special Criminal Court (SCC) was effectively established on 3 June 2015 by Organic Law No. 15.003 as a national court and is seen as a crucial tool to end the prevailing impunity in the CAR, support the extension of state authority, and contribute to the process of national reconciliation. In August 2016, to support the establishment, operationalization and functioning of the SCC, the Central African Government and the United Nations signed an agreement establishing the Joint Project to Support the Special Criminal Court. 

MINUSCA has played a foundational role in establishing the SCC, including supporting the construction of its premises and assisting in the drafting of its legal framework, such as the Court’s Rules of Procedure and Evidence. This marks the first time a United Nations peacekeeping mission has directly contributed to the creation and long-term support of a hybrid criminal court, setting a precedent and serving as a role-model for similar contexts in other countries. Over the years, MINUSCA has continuously provided comprehensive support to the Court by offering legal, strategic and policy advice, as well as capacity-building, logistical and operational assistance during preliminary investigations and throughout judicial proceedings, including trial and victim reparation phases. It has supported the SCC’s operational and institutional development by strengthening court governance and the Registry, and by facilitating investigative and arrest missions. MINUSCA also recruited international magistrates and court personnel and ensured the security of court premises and magistrates. Up until today, it has contributed 62.5% of the overall cost of SCC, while also providing technical support in budgeting and resource allocation. Additionally, it has helped coordinate and mobilize financial resources and political support at both international and national levels, including through ongoing dialogue with the CAR Minister of Justice. 

Supporting the efforts to reinstate the criminal justice system: 

JCS continuously engages in advocacy with judicial authorities, the Presidents and Prosecutors General of Courts of Appeal, judges, and prosecutors to advance judicial cases. In addition, JCS provides technical assistance to prosecutors, investigative judges, judges, and judicial police officers in investigations, prosecution, and adjudication of criminal offenses throughout the country. This includes support to the organization of criminal sessions, mobile courts, judicial investigations in prisons, and the protection of victims and witnesses before the courts. To counter the violent resurgence in the Central African Republic in 2014, urgent temporary measures were put in place in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2149 of 2014. JCS further provides capacity building to judicial actors by providing training in juvenile justice, sexual and gender-based violence, protection of victims and witnesses, elections, military justice, judicial cooperation, and any other assistance required. 

Supporting the extension of State authority throughout the country 

A major challenge is the absence of functioning courts and prisons outside the capital. The reinstatement of the justice system therefore remains a priority, as very few of the country’s courts and detention facilities were operating. JCS accordingly provides support to the Ministry of Justice in extending the rule of law across the country by gradually reopening courts and detention facilities. Through Quick Impact Projects, we provide funding for the rehabilitation and refurbishment of courts and prisons.  

In 2019, the CAR Ministry of Justice adopted its first strategic policy document, known as the Politique sectorielle de la Justice (Justice Sector Policy). With this policy, the Ministry of Justice states its objective of making the Central African justice system more independent, accountable, efficient, accessible and respectful of human rights. JCS plays a key role as co-coordinator in ensuring that the government increases its steering capacity and in coordinating the efforts of all stakeholders towards this goal. 

Since 2014, 20 construction or rehabilitation projects for judicial facilities have been carried out by JCS MINUSCA and officially handed over to the government. JCS has provided continuous support for the deployment of judicial personnel to their assigned jurisdictions. Of 30 existing jurisdictions, JCS contributed to 24 jurisdictions are functioning in a consistent manner. On 1 July 2025, several decrees related to the Ministry of Justice were signed by the CAR President and created new judicial and administrative courts and assigned newly appointed magistrates throughout the country. JCS continues to support the training of new magistrates and their appointment and JCS advocates for the standardization of courts functioning. 

Furthermore, to ensure accessible justice to citizens and to raise public awareness on criminal offences, including in remote areas of the country, technical, logistical and financial support is provided annually by MINUSCA to the regional courts in charge of organizing hearings, including by mobile courts. Another way MINUSCA promoted the accountability of the courts deployed outside Bangui consists in the dialogue with local communities. MINUSCA also supports coordination mechanisms between formal and informal justice actors to build trust and increase access to justice.   

Reforming the penitentiary system 

The JCS supports the state in the reform process of the CAR penitentiary system to ensure its conformity with international norms and practices on prison administration.  For years, prison overcrowding in CAR has led to significant food shortages, deaths from malnutrition, worsening of daily living conditions, and increased risk of security incidents, mass escapes, and infectious diseases. The situation is most critical in Ngaragba Central Prison, which is 304% over its official capacity of 382 detainees. MINUSCA JCS has implemented several initiatives to address overcrowding and improve prison conditions, including through the establishment of medical units in prisons, advocating for presidential pardons and implementing social reintegration programmes. 

Capacity building and training of human resources 

Since the establishment of MINUSCA, JCS has played a central role in strengthening the national penitentiary system through sustained capacity-building and professional training initiatives. Out of 38 prisons that should have been functional in the country, JCS has constructed and or rehabilitated 16 prisons which are now all operational. JCS delivers both in-service and on-site training to penitentiary staff on critical areas such as dynamic security, records management, non-violent communication, human rights compliance, and the treatment of juveniles and women. To date, over 400 personnel have benefited from these programmes, leading to notable improvements in search and control procedures and a marked enhancement in the professional conduct of security staff. JCS also regularly organizes specialized sessions on crisis management in prisons and facilitates thematic workshops involving national and international experts to reinforce best practices. It has ensured the deployment of 108 Government Provided Personnel (GPP) to support national prison management structures. To further professionalize the workforce, JCS supported the development of a National Demilitarization Strategy, formally adopted in January 2019. In line with this strategy, 295 new prison officers were recruited, trained, and deployed in 2024 across the 16 operational prisons, raising the total number of personnel to 405. These officers continue to benefit from robust mentoring by operational security experts through 24/7 co-location in the central prison and its annex in Bangui.