# UN Security Council Debates Gradual Withdrawal of Peacekeeping Mission in Central Africa The UN Security Council reviews the Minusca mandate amid calls for a phased exit strategy. - **Source:** [Ouest-France](https://www.ouest-france.fr) - **Published:** 2026-11-12 - **Topic:** [world](https://brifing.si/c/world) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/3342059b-ec36-41e9-a70f-5bb8a2fb2248 ## Mandate Renewal Under Review The UN Security Council convenes this Thursday to determine the future of the Minusca peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic. With the current mandate expiring this weekend, discussions center on a potential gradual withdrawal. The mission, active since 2014, currently maintains 10,000 military personnel and 2,000 police officers on the ground. ## Operational Reconfiguration Strategy Minusca has already initiated a strategic reconfiguration of its presence across the country. Between January and June 2026, the mission successfully closed or retroceded 21 operational bases. This shift aims to concentrate resources in high-need areas, allowing for a more robust posture despite a 15 percent reduction in the annual budget. ## Security Landscape Evolution While the security situation has improved significantly since the civil war of 2013-2014, instability persists in specific regions. Armed groups remain active, particularly along the borders with Chad, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These ongoing threats complicate the transition process, necessitating a careful approach to any potential military drawdown. ## Persistent Regional Violence Recent incidents highlight the fragility of the current peace. Between June and September, the Lord’s Resistance Army allegedly killed four people and abducted 68 civilians, including 40 children. Additionally, a June attack in Am-Dafock resulted in 29 deaths, including 22 security personnel, and displaced approximately 17,500 residents near the Sudanese border. ## Displacement and Humanitarian Impact The humanitarian toll remains severe despite recent electoral progress. As of August 31, approximately 416,000 people remain internally displaced, while over 730,000 individuals have sought refuge in neighboring countries. These figures underscore the continued necessity of protection efforts, even as the government seeks to assert its sovereign control over national security. ## Government Stance on Sovereignty President Faustin-Archange Touadéra has publicly advocated for a phased withdrawal of UN forces. He emphasizes that the Central African Republic must eventually manage its own security independently. However, government officials caution against a sudden exit, requesting continued international support to prevent a security vacuum that could destabilize the nation's fragile progress. ## International Diplomatic Consensus During an October 20 briefing, representatives from Russia and France expressed support for a withdrawal strategy correlated with actual conditions on the ground. Both nations acknowledge the need for a transition that respects national sovereignty while maintaining stability. The final decision rests on how the Council chooses to structure the upcoming mandate. ## Future Mission Trajectory Minusca officials maintain that their core mandate—protecting civilians and restoring state authority—remains fully active until the Council dictates otherwise. While the mission prepares for potential changes, it continues to operate under its existing framework. The upcoming UN resolution will define the specific pace and conditions of this long-term transition process. ## Sources covering this story - [Ouest-France — UN Security Council Weighs Gradual Withdrawal of Minusca Mission in Central Africa](https://www.ouest-france.fr/monde/centrafrique/centrafrique-vers-un-retrait-progressif-de-la-minusca-la-mission-de-lonu-8e17929e-de34-11f1-a62b-776e3051b0df?utm_source=fluxpublicactu&utm_medium=fluxrss&utm_campaign=banquedecontenu) - [Africanews — UN Security Council Debates MINUSCA Peacekeeping Mandate Renewal](http://www.africanews.com/2026/11/12/un-weighs-peacekeeping-cuts-in-central-african-republic-as-mandate-expires/) --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._