Central African Republic: 148 former combatants begin reintegration in Bocaranga under MINUSCA's CVR program

On August 19, 2026, a team from MINUSCA's Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) Section conducted a monitoring mission in Bocaranga, Ouham-Pendé prefecture, involving 148 former combatants enrolled in the Community Violence Reduction (CVR) program. According to Africa Newsroom (APO), citing a MINUSCA press release, these beneficiaries are first undergoing a two-month civic education training before joining vocational tracks: mechanics, driving, soap-making, sewing, or sheep farming. Abel Delatide, one of the beneficiaries, stated: "With the kits I will receive at the end of my driving training, I will be self-sufficient to manage my life. I urge others to follow in my footsteps." Sam Howard, MINUSCA's regional DDR coordinator for the Equateur zone, welcomed the progress while acknowledging persistent challenges: "What I have seen will allow me to make proposals to improve activities and also the conditions of the former combatants participating in socio-economic reintegration." He added that "the sustainable reintegration of former combatants is an essential element for stability and peacebuilding in the region." The precise schedule for handing over the insertion kits has not been communicated. For the communities of Ouham-Pendé, a region marked by years of conflicts involving groups from the former Séléka and anti-Balaka, the reintegration of these 148 former combatants reduces the risk of a resumption of violence and forms a workforce for promising sectors such as craftsmanship and livestock farming. Backed by the DDR process outlined in the 2019 Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation, the CVR focuses on vocational training rather than merely surrendering weapons for compensation. However, its effectiveness depends on the availability of local economic opportunities, residual security...