Central African Republic

A national focal point for mine action was appointed at the Ministry of Defence of the Central African Republic (CAR) on 31 March 2023. In April 2024, the focal point announced that the government was actively working to establish a national mine action authority (NMAA), with the technical support of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) through the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS). A Mine Action Area of Responsibility (MA AoR) was activated on 27 April 2023 within the protection cluster system, and operators now meet on a regular basis. MINUSCA strengthened its explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) capacity throughout the country, while UNMAS has limited contracted capacities through the international company, The Development Initiative (TDI), which can conduct non-technical survey (NTS) and EOD spot tasks. UNMAS has also supported MINUSCA with training, equipment, and post-blast investigations.

• CAR should pursue its efforts to establish an NMAA and a national structure to coordinate mine action operations.
• CAR should put in place a monitoring and an information management capacity to support systematic collection of data and reporting, disaggregating anti-personnel (AP) mines, including of an improvised nature, from other explosive devices.
• Given the likely presence of mined areas containing explosive devices meeting the definition of an AP mine, CAR should seek a new Article 5 deadline to comply with the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC).
• CAR should seek international assistance to establish a sustainable national capacity to respond to all explosive contamination and engage in regional and international cooperation mechanisms.

Click here to download the ‘Clearing the Mines 2024’ report for Central African Republic