The combined presidential, legislative, regional and municipal elections – including the first municipal elections since 1988 – represented “the largest electoral operations ever carried out in the Central African Republic,” she said.
The vote took place “peacefully and safely in most of the country.”despite isolated security incidents.”
The incumbent president, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, obtained an absolute majority and won a third term.
UN support for elections
The UN peacekeeping mission, MINUSCA, provided technical, logistical, operational and security support, including the transportation of more than 232 tons of electoral information and facilitated the deployment of almost 500 election-related workers across the country.
The mission also supported the rotation and reinforcement of 1,237 national defense and security forces and provided assistance packages to more than 800 soldiers in critical areas.
The elections also reflected progress in terms of inclusion, with women representing more than 47 percent of voters and 45 percent of municipal candidates.
Implementation of the peace agreement
The Central African Republic has faced recurring cycles of conflict since 2013.when predominantly Muslim Seleka rebels took power, leading to the rise of mostly Christian anti-Balaka militias.
The 2019 Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation between the Government and 14 armed groups – mediated with international support – remains the central framework for stabilization efforts.
Ms. Rugwabiza reported that progress was continuing under that agreement, including the dissolution of two additional armed groups and the signing of a third agreement for the return of the Movement of Central African Patriots to the process, facilitated by Chad.
Since July 2025, more than 1,200 combatants have been disarmed and demobilized.
Security improved, but challenges remain
However, he warned that “the continuation of a well-planned and coordinated disarmament and demobilization process remains essential to maintain progress in security and peace.”
Security conditions have improved in the western and central regions, but challenges remain serious in the northeast and southeast.
In the southeast, militia attacks against civilians and local authorities continue, after 21 of the 6,700 voting centers across the country were prevented from opening on election day.
The spread of conflict from neighboring Sudan has pushed thousands of refugees into northeastern prefectures, straining limited services and exacerbating tensions between communities, while further limiting humanitarian access.
MINUSCA peacekeepers patrolling in a commercial town in the Central African Republic in the run-up to the December 2025 elections.
Cuts to peacekeeping
MINUSCA has consolidated its force presence in the affected areas to improve the protection of civilians. At the same time, mission operations have been affected by a lack of money.
As of February 2, $733 million of the mission’s annual budget from July 2025 to June 2026 remained outstanding (approximately 63%).
Established in 2014, MINUSCA is mandated to protect civilians, support the peace process and help expand state authority.
As the country enters a post-election phase, the mission seeks to gradually transfer responsibilities to national institutions, a process that depends on continued stability, institutional capacity and reliable financial resources.
Building peace
Omar Hilale, Morocco’s ambassador to the UN and president of the Peacebuilding Commission support group working to strengthen peace in the Central African Republic, said the country was entering “a decisive phase in terms of consolidation, confidence and national cohesion.”
The UN Peacebuilding Commission is an intergovernmental advisory body that supports peace efforts in conflict-affected nations around the world.
“We must ensure that political attention to security sector reform remains unwavering,” Hilale said, while underscoring the importance of MINUSCA. Any discussion about its future must be based on “realities on the ground,” he said.
“The Central African Republic is entering a new phase, look decisively towards the future with renewed determination and commitment. Therefore, it is up to us to seize this crucial moment and consolidate and safeguard the progress made so far,” he said.