Central African Republic | MINUSCA

The government of CAR has been devastated by the conflict, leaving most state institutions non-functioning. Without government institutions, CAR has the potential to become a safe haven for extremists and parties engaged in organized crime in the area and beyond. The terror organization Boko Haram already has a presence in CAR, Cameroon, and Chad. A UN Peacekeeping force to rebuild legitimate government institutions is critical to denying these types of actors territory from which they can operate, promoting U.S. national security interests in the process.

Human rights abuses are high in CAR. MINUSCA has supported efforts by CAR’s transitional authorities to establish a national Special Criminal Court to prosecute individuals accused of war crimes and other abuses.

MINUSCA supported efforts by CAR’s transitional government to hold free, fair, and credible elections, and is working with the country’s new president and Parliament to establish effective governing institutions, something that is critical both to the country’s long-term stability and to MINUSCA’s ability to eventually withdraw from the country. The mission also continues to promote women’s participation in the peace process by raising awareness, training female leaders, and providing guidance.