Birao, 7 July 2026 – During a joint press conference with the MINUSCA field office in Birao, the Prefect of Vakaga, Lieutenant-Colonel Judes Ngayoko, expressed his “deep gratitude to MINUSCA for the multifaceted support it has provided since the very first hours of this crisis” in Am-Dafock. Speaking via videoconference from Birao, the Prefect stated that the Mission’s intervention had been “crucial in protecting civilian populations, supplying drinking water, carrying out medical evacuations, and facilitating the delivery of emergency humanitarian assistance to affected communities.”
Addressing journalists, the Prefect of Vakaga condemned “in the strongest possible terms these barbaric attacks, which constitute an assault on our country’s sovereignty and the security of our populations.” He reassured that “the Government remains fully committed to defending the territorial integrity of the Central African Republic and to permanently restoring State authority throughout the national territory.” He also praised the commitment of the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) and their allies, whose efforts made it possible to regain control of this border area and gradually stabilize the security situation.
To date, the Prefect of Vakaga reassured that security is being gradually restored. “The deployed forces continue to conduct patrols in and around Am-Dafock in order to prevent any further attacks, reassure the population, and protect people and their property,” he said, adding that “the Government is monitoring developments with the utmost attention.”
Furthermore, the Prefect emphasized that the humanitarian situation in the area remains “very concerning,” as “more than 16,000 internally displaced persons are currently settled near the MINUSCA base in Am-Dafock. In addition, more than 2,000 displaced persons have sought refuge in the town of Birao.” However, thanks to the mobilization of MINUSCA and humanitarian partners, the Prefect noted that “several humanitarian flights have already delivered emergency assistance.”
He specified that significant needs remain, particularly in terms of drinking water, food, healthcare, essential household items, and sanitation. “The armed groups that attacked Am-Dafock set fire to and looted numerous homes, destroyed private property, and carried away significant food stocks, thereby exacerbating the vulnerability of the population,” the official stated, while “appealing to all national and international partners to strengthen their support in order to meet the urgent needs of the affected populations.”
According to the Prefect of Vakaga, Lieutenant-Colonel Judes Ngayoko, the attacks on 30 June pose a serious threat to the Local Peace Agreement signed last year by local communities with the support of MINUSCA. The official acknowledged that: “This agreement had already produced encouraging results, including a significant reduction in intercommunal violence, a decline in conflicts related to transhumance, improved freedom of movement for populations on both sides of the border, and a gradual resumption of economic activities.”
Nevertheless, he reassured that these attacks “cannot undermine our collective determination. We will continue our efforts toward dialogue, mediation, and reconciliation to consolidate peace, social harmony and cohesion in this part of our country,” he emphasized. He further stated that the Government intends to strengthen its security measures in Vakaga through the gradual deployment of the Central African Armed Forces, the intensification of patrols, an increased State presence in border areas, and close cooperation with all its partners to ensure the long-term protection of civilian populations.
Taking the floor, the Head of MINUSCA Field Office in Birao, Amadou Moctar Diallo, first paid tribute to the Defense and Security Forces as well as the civilians who were killed during the 30 June attack on Am-Dafock and wished a speedy recovery to all those who were wounded. “This attack spared no one in Am-Dafock. From the national defense and security forces to civilians and United Nations peacekeepers, everyone was targeted and became victims of this deadly attack,” he deplored.
In response to this situation, the Head of Office emphasized that MINUSCA took decisive actions that helped protect civilians, facilitate the presence and extension of State authority, and deliver emergency humanitarian assistance. “First, MINUSCA’s actions made it possible to provide effective protection to more than 16,000 civilians who were under threat of physical violence. These people came from the town of Am-Dafock and several surrounding villages. By adopting a comprehensive and integrated protection approach, MINUSCA was able to prevent a direct attack against these thousands of civilians who had sought refuge and protection at its base,” said Amadou Moctar Diallo, adding that this measure “helped save lives.”
The Head of Office also emphasized that MINUSCA’s multifaceted efforts helped maintain State authority, notably by ensuring that the local administration remained operational. “Thanks to MINUSCA’s logistical support and protection, the Sub-Prefect of Am-Dafock remained on site and continued to work with his team,” he said. The Head of Office further noted that MINUSCA continued its multifaceted support in line with its mandate to support the extension of State authority, with the view of preserving sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the CAR. He recalled that the Security Council reaffirmed its strong commitment to these principles in its resolution 2800 (2025) of 13 November 2025 related to MINUSCA mandate.
Amadou Moctar Diallo also highlighted that another major action undertaken by MINUSCA consisted in supporting the immediate delivery of humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations in Am-Dafock. “MINUSCA provided air transport and security for a humanitarian needs assessment mission led by OCHA and other humanitarian organizations. This mission made it possible to assess the difficult humanitarian situation facing thousands of internally displaced persons, with whom MINUSCA is sharing its limited resources in Am-Dafock, including the supply of drinking water,” he said.
The Head of Office reassured that “Am-Dafock remains a major priority for MINUSCA.” Amadou Moctar Diallo recalled that the establishment of MINUSCA’s temporary base in Am-Dafock in January 2024 created a conducive environment that led to the first deployment of the Central African Armed Forces (FACA), followed by the deployment of gendarmes, with MINUSCA’s support. “In addition, over the past two years, we have invested nearly 300 million CFA francs in Am-Dafock through various projects aimed at supporting the protection of civilians, extending State authority, reducing community violence, and promoting economic recovery,” he emphasized. He also reiterated the statement made by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of MINUSCA in the press release issued on 30 June, stating that “these attacks will in no way undermine the Mission’s determination to implement its mandate. MINUSCA intends to preserve and consolidate the gains achieved in Am-Dafock, particularly over the past two years, despite the challenges.”
Finally, MINUSCA confirmed, on the sidelines of this joint press conference, that the armored personnel carrier (APC) that had been attacked and damaged by armed groups on 30 June while conducting a civilian protection patrol has been recovered. The vehicle is now located inside the Mission’s Temporary Operating Base in Am-Dafock.
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Joël Ndoli PIERRE – Interim Spokesperson
Office of the SRSG – Head of Minusca
MINUSCA | Bangui | RCA
Cellphones: +236 72 98 15 55 | +236 75 98 15 45 (whatsapp)
