Central African Republic

About

The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) programme in the Central African Republic (CAR) focuses on addressing explosive ordnance threats, strengthening weapons and ammunition management (WAM), and training security forces. Since its establishment in 2014, UNMAS has taken a proactive stance in supporting capacity development, contributing to national ownership, civilian protection, and long-term stability through institutional support, operational capacity building, and community engagement.

Impact

UNMAS plays a central role in strengthening national governance and building sustainable expertise:

• Institutional Strengthening: Supported the establishment of the National Mine Action Authority (NMAA) in September 2025 and continues to assist its operationalization.
• National Governance: Supports the National Commission for the Fight Against the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NATCOM-SALW), including its ongoing decentralization into regional offices to improve nationwide reach.
• Expertise Development: Since 2014, UNMAS has trained more than 1,000 National Defence and Internal Security Forces (NDISF) personnel in WAM.
• Specialized Qualification: UNMAS has trained NDISF personnel at all levels, including over 40 Central African Armed Forces (FACA) specialists qualified at EOD Level 3.
• Gender Inclusion: In line with UN Gender Guidelines, UNMAS promotes the inclusion of women in technical and leadership roles, with women currently representing approximately 46% of UNMAS personnel in the CAR.

Activities

UNMAS strengthens national operational capabilities through infrastructure, equipment, and technical expertise:

• Facility Rehabilitation: Rehabilitated the EOD training facility at Camp Kassai in Bangui and provided mobility assets to support FACA operations.

• Peacekeeper Training: Delivered specialized explosive ordnance threat mitigation training to over 4,700 peacekeepers since 2021.

• Neutralization: In coordination with MINUSCA Force EOD teams, UNMAS has safely neutralized nearly 100 explosive ordnance items since 2022.

• Community Reporting: Trained local NGOs and community focal points to report hazards, facilitating faster, safer responses.

• Weapons Management: Constructed or rehabilitated more than 130 storage facilities nationwide since 2014.

• Accountability and Disposal: Facilitated the marking of over 3,500 State-owned weapons and oversaw the disposal of more than 100,000 obsolete ammunition items.

• Community Protection: Provided explosive ordnance risk education to over 103,000 beneficiaries since 2021 and delivered risk awareness sessions to over 8,800 personnel.

Funding

UNMAS is primarily funded through the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) assessed budget, which supports UNMAS core mission-critical activities. To ensure long-term sustainability for specialized training and operational development, UNMAS are actively seeking additional support through the Voluntary Trust Fund (VTF) for Assistance in Mine Action. By broadening donor base and fostering strategic partnerships, UNMAS aim to secure the predictable, multi-year funding needed to sustain national capacities, civilian protection, and peace-building efforts in the Central African Republic.

Data as of June 2026