The Special Representative and Head of UNOCA, Abdou Abarry, took part on Monday, 23 October 2023, in Bangui, in the meeting dedicated to the strategic review of progress made in the implementation of the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic (APPR-RCA in its French acronym) and the Luanda Road Map. The event, whose official opening was chaired by the President of the Central African Republic, Faustin Archange Touadera, provided an opportunity to take stock of the progress of the said process, the challenges noted and the prospects it offers in relation to country’s sustainable development.

The self-dissolution of nine out of the 14 armed groups signatories of the APPR-RCA is one of the key elements of the assessment, together with the development of a draft engagement strategy for the leaders of the armed groups that "will allow their reengagement in the peace process and return to stability.” In the communiqué published at the end of the event, participants took note of the other progress accomplished, including “within the framework of the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) Program and the restoration of State Authority throughout the territory." They also expressed their satisfaction with the administrative reforms carried out by the Civil Service as well as those undertaken in the areas of justice and decentralization. Furthermore, they welcomed efforts undertaken to define the border security policy.

The participants encouraged the Government to communicate more on this progress and to “continue the implementation of the process with the same determination and the reiterated support of partners.” UNOCA’s support remains intact, as evidenced by the presence of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Africa at the Bangui meeting. In the mandate entrusted to it by the Security Council, UNOCA is in fact invited to carry out actions with a view to mobilizing, at the sub-regional level, “support the peace process in the Central African Republic, in close cooperation with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic [MINUSCA].” MINUSCA was represented at the strategic review by Mohamed Ag Ayoya, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General in CAR.

Read the final communiqué for list of other personalities who participated in the event, as well as the meeting recommendations.