ABOUT
Since 2014, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has been a cornerstone of stability and peacebuilding efforts in the Central African Republic (CAR), operating as part of the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), whose mandate was renewed under Security Council Resolution (SCR) 2709 (2023) and extended until November 2024.
IMPACT
Building Safety and Stability Through Mine Action
UNMAS’ mission in CAR is to reduce the risks posed by explosive ordnance, improve the safe management of weapons and ammunition, and protect civilians and humanitarian workers from harm. Aligned with the Mission’s priorities, UNMAS provides critical support to national authorities by strengthening the capacity of the National Defense and Security Forces (NDSF) to respond to explosive ordnance threats, while advocating for the establishment and operationalization of a National Mine Action Authority (NMAA). Additionally, UNMAS enhances the explosive ordnance threat mitigation (EOTM) capabilities of the MINUSCA Force, enabling them to conduct context-specific operations. To safeguard local communities and humanitarian actors, UNMAS delivers explosive ordnance risk education (EORE) and awareness sessions. Furthermore, UNMAS supports national efforts in weapons and ammunition management (WAM), ensuring the safe and secure storage and handling of these materials. Through these initiatives, UNMAS helps CAR protect its citizens and build a sustainable path to peace.
ACTIVITIES
Weapons and Ammunition Management (WAM)
UNMAS contributes to strengthening national capacity for WAM, a critical aspect of maintaining security and reducing the risk of proliferation in CAR. The proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and inadequate national WAM capacity pose significant threats to civilians and hinder peace efforts. In response, UNMAS has led efforts to promote best practices through specialized training, quality control, monitoring, and enhancement of storage facilities. UNMAS has made substantial progress, including supporting the marking and registration of state-owned weapons and the construction or rehabilitation of armories.
Additionally, temporary storage kits were deployed in areas lacking permanent infrastructure. UNMAS has delivered WAM training courses, equipping more members of the NDSF with essential expertise. Despite these achievements, challenges remain, especially following the lifting of the arms embargo in July 2024, which increases the urgency for further strengthening national capacities. Looking forward, UNMAS will continue its support by establishing a WAM Training Center, improving storage facilities, and expanding weapons marking.
Other key initiatives include assisting with the destruction of obsolete weapons and ammunition, advocating for the implementation of national frameworks and international standards, and supporting the operationalization and decentralization efforts of the National Commission for the fight against the Proliferation of SALW (NATCOM-SALW). Over the past two years, UNMAS has conducted technical assessments, secured storage for state-owned weapons, and played a pivotal role in CAR's security sector reform and the protection of civilians, in line with MINUSCA's mandate.
Explosive Ordnance Threat Mitigation
UNMAS is committed to reducing the risks posed by explosive ordnance (EO) through technical expertise and capacity-building efforts for both national authorities and the MINUSCA Force.
Since 2014, UNMAS has provided various EOTM and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) training, equipping national and MINUSCA Force personnel with the skills needed to address EO threats. Notably, in September 2024, UNMAS facilitated the first pre-deployment training (PDT) for future peacekeepers from the Tanzanian Infantry Battalion, in Tanzania, marking the first such initiative for MINUSCA. This training, designed by UNMAS, enhances operational readiness while reducing the in-mission training duration for the battalion.
UNMAS has also strengthened the capacity of the NDSF through the first iteration of EOTM training-of-trainers, further advancing national expertise in EOTM. In addition, UNMAS has supported the national authorities in drafting legal frameworks and validating the roadmap for the establishment of the NMAA.
UNMAS co-chairs the Mine Action Area of Responsibility (MA AoR) in CAR with the national mine action focal point and coordinates humanitarian mine action efforts under the Protection Cluster, facilitating dialogue and collaboration among key stakeholders.
Since 2014, UNMAS has delivered EORE and EO awareness sessions to beneficiaries, including civilians, humanitarian workers, and UN personnel. Recently, in line with its commitment to inclusivity, UNMAS partnered with the “Association Nationale la Main des Sourds pour le Travail et le Développement de Centrafrique” to produce an EORE video in sign language, ensuring accessibility for the deaf community. The video was widely broadcast and featured during an event celebrating the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
FUNDING
UNMAS, as MINUSCA’s Mine Action section, is yearly budgeted to support the implementation of the Mission mandate on the protection of civilians, the security sector reform and the restoration and extension of state authority.
For more information:
Ms. Sophie Van Royen, Chief, UNMAS MINUSCA, sophie.vanroyen@un.org
Data as of October 2024