AGP Executive Report

Justice in Bangui: A UN-backed Special Criminal Court opened the in-absentia trial of former CAR president François Bozizé over alleged crimes against humanity committed by his security forces between 2009 and 2013, including murder, enforced disappearance, torture and rape; Bozizé, 79, is in exile in Guinea-Bissau and the court says there is “serious and consistent evidence” linking him as a hierarchical superior, while three former senior officers are in custody. Security rumors: CAR’s military publicly denied social media claims of a coup plot, saying state institutions are functioning normally and urging citizens to rely on official information. Electricity push: World Bank and AfDB’s Mission 300 says it has connected over 50 million people to electricity across 40 countries, with the Central African Republic listed among countries expected to sign compacts. Humanitarian concern: Reports say the U.S. plans deportations of migrants, including Iranians, to the Central African Republic under third-country arrangements, raising rights concerns. Regional spillover: Cameroon launched its northern farming season amid food security worries tied to conflict and refugee flows, including from the CAR. Economy watch: Borrowing costs in CEMAC rose sharply, with CAR noted as facing tougher credit conditions.

Bozizé Trial in Bangui: A UN-backed Special Criminal Court opened the trial of former CAR president François Bozizé in absentia over alleged crimes against humanity and war abuses committed by his security forces between 2009 and 2013, including murder, enforced disappearances, torture and rape; Bozizé, 79, is in exile in Guinea-Bissau and is not being extradited, while three former senior officers are in custody and seated in court. Military Denies Coup Rumours: CAR’s armed forces issued a rare statement rejecting social media claims of a plot to overthrow the government, saying state institutions are functioning normally and urging citizens to rely on official sources. US Deportations Raise Rights Concerns: The US deported an Iranian pro-democracy activist to Bangui under a third-country transfer deal; her lawyer warned it could be “super dangerous,” with unclear plans for where deportees will be housed. Mozambicans to Be Repatriated: Mozambique says it will repatriate 14 nationals stranded in CAR after a fraudulent job recruitment scheme, noting some had passports confiscated and are being monitored with IOM. Electricity Push: World Bank and AfDB reported Mission 300 has connected over 50 million people to electricity across 40 African countries, with CAR mentioned among countries signing compacts. Cost of Credit in CEMAC: A BEAC report says borrowing costs in the CEMAC bloc rose sharply in early 2026, squeezing households, businesses and public institutions, with CAR among the affected markets. Education Under Attack: A global report says attacks on education rose more than 40% in 2024-2025, highlighting how conflict harms schooling even beyond active war zones.

Court Accountability: A UN-backed Special Criminal Court in Bangui has opened the in-absentia trial of former CAR president François Bozizé over alleged crimes against humanity and war abuses committed by his security forces between 2009 and 2013, including murder, enforced disappearances, torture and rape; Bozizé, 79, is in exile in Guinea-Bissau, while three former senior officers linked to the case are in pre-trial detention. Migration and Rights: The US has begun deporting “third-country” migrants to the Central African Republic, with reports saying a first flight landed in Bangui carrying around 20 migrants including an Iranian pro-democracy activist and other nationals; lawyers and rights groups warn some deportees had legal protections and may face serious risks, while authorities have been criticized for limited transparency on where people are housed. Electrification Push: World Bank and AfDB’s Mission 300 says it has connected over 50 million people to electricity across 40 countries, and notes the Central African Republic is among countries expected to sign compacts to speed access. Security Rumours: CAR’s army has denied social-media claims of a coup plot, urging citizens to rely on official information. Education Under Pressure: New reporting highlights how conflict and targeted tactics keep children out of school, with CAR cited among places where more than half of primary-age children are not attending.

Justice in Bangui: A UN-backed Special Criminal Court has opened the in-absentia trial of former CAR president François Bozizé over alleged crimes against humanity and war abuses committed by his security forces between 2009 and 2013, including murder, enforced disappearances, torture and rape; the case is heard by Central African and foreign judges, while three former senior officers are already in pre-trial detention. Human rights concerns: Amnesty International says the trial’s in-absentia setup “tarnishes” the process and urges Bozizé’s arrest and extradition, warning that warrants must be enforced for justice to be meaningful. Military denies instability rumours: CAR’s army publicly rejected social media claims of a coup plot, saying state institutions are functioning normally and urging citizens to rely on official information. Deportations spark alarm: Multiple reports say the US has sent “third-country” deportees to Bangui, including an Iranian pro-democracy activist and other nationals, with lawyers warning some could face persecution and that authorities have been unclear about housing and legal status. Sports streaming deal: New World TV partnered with Orange Africa to bring premium sports coverage via Orange’s Max it app to CAR and eight other African countries.

US Deportations to CAR: A US deportation flight carrying at least two dozen migrants—including an Iranian pro-democracy activist and other nationals from Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey and Georgia—landed in Bangui, with lawyers and activists warning some had legal protections and could be forced back to the countries they fled. Rights Concerns Over Secrecy: Reports say authorities have given little information on where people are housed or their status, while the US State Department lists CAR as “Do not travel” due to violence, kidnapping and terrorism. Education Under Pressure: A new study and UNESCO-linked reporting say conflict tactics that directly target children are driving school dropouts, with CAR cited among countries where more than half of primary-age children are out of school. Global Education Attacks: A separate global report says attacks on schools rose more than 40% in 2024-2025, affecting thousands of students and education workers across dozens of countries. Trade Corridor Fuel Deal: Cameroon’s shippers council selected Tradex to build and run fuel stations along routes linking Douala to the Central African Republic and Chad, aiming to support logistics “life centers” for truckers. Peacekeeper Safety Push: Denmark and Pakistan backed a UN Security Council draft to strengthen accountability for attacks on peacekeepers, citing rising assaults using drones and advanced weapons.

Deportations and rights concerns: A U.S. deportation flight carrying at least two dozen migrants landed in Bangui, Central African Republic, including an Iranian pro-democracy activist and other nationals from Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey and Georgia, with lawyers warning some had legal protections such as “withholding of removal” and could face persecution if forced back. Local reception opacity: Reports say authorities have not clearly explained where people are being housed or their legal status, and civil society groups are alarmed by the secrecy. Education under pressure: New research highlights how conflict-targeted tactics—like child recruitment and sexual violence—push families to keep children out of school, with CAR cited among countries where more than half of primary-age children are out of class. Global education attacks surge: A separate report says attacks on education rose more than 40% worldwide in 2024-2025, affecting students and teachers across dozens of countries, including CAR.

US Deportations to CAR: A U.S. deportation flight carrying about two dozen migrants landed in Bangui, Central African Republic, after leaving Louisiana and stopping in Ghana, with lawyers and rights groups saying the group included an Iranian pro-democracy activist and other nationals from Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey and Georgia—some reportedly had U.S. court protection such as “withholding of removal.” Rights Concerns: Advocates say the CAR has no clear support or housing details publicly shared, and warn deportees could be forced back to the countries they fled, despite the U.S. State Department’s “do not travel” advisory. Community Peacebuilding: In Batangafo, a displaced woman leader described rebuilding efforts through her NGO Londo E Lekere, focused on peacebuilding and empowering women’s leadership after the 2013 violence. Regional Context: A separate report notes CAR is among CEMAC states seeing export price pressure, with cocoa driving a sharp drop in agricultural export earnings.

US Third-Country Deportations to CAR: A first U.S. deportation flight carrying migrants to the Central African Republic landed in Bangui late Friday, with lawyers and rights groups saying the group included an Iranian pro-democracy activist and other nationals from Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey and Georgia; the U.S. State Department warns Americans “Do not travel” to CAR, and advocates say some deportees had legal protections such as “withholding of removal,” raising fears they could be forced back to the countries they fled. Opaque Reception in Bangui: Reports say the number and identities of those on board were unclear, with some temporarily housed in hotels or near a firefighters’ base by the U.S. embassy under construction, while civil society groups complain authorities have provided little information. Rights Alarm: Lawyers describe the transfer as “super dangerous,” stressing deportees have no ties or support networks in CAR and could face persecution. Illicit Gold Trade Link: A new investigation says Dubai has become a key destination for CAR conflict-linked gold, with Russia’s Africa Corps (linked to Wagner) identified as a major beneficiary, putting Bangui’s security and governance under sharper scrutiny.

US Deportations to CAR: A first US “third-country” deportation flight landed in Bangui with at least one Iranian pro-democracy activist, her lawyer calling it “super dangerous” because she has no ties to the Central African Republic; reports say the plane left Louisiana, stopped in Ghana, and arrived late Friday, with unclear numbers and nationalities and no clear details on housing or legal status. Rights Concerns: Lawyers and civil society groups say some deportees may have court protections such as “withholding of removal,” including Iranian women—one reportedly a Christian convert—raising fears they could be forced back to the countries they fled. Opacity on Arrival: Sources cited by media describe migrants being held in hotels or at a firefighters’ base near the US embassy under construction, while authorities have stayed largely silent. CAR Context: The US State Department warns Americans not to travel to CAR “for any reason,” citing unrest, crime, kidnapping, landmines, health risks and terrorism.

US Deportations to CAR: A US deportation flight carrying at least two dozen migrants landed in Bangui on Friday, including an Iranian pro-democracy activist and other nationals from Afghanistan, Turkey, Georgia and more, under Trump’s “third-country” deportation deals. Rights Concerns: Lawyers say some deportees had US court protections such as “withholding of removal,” but fear they could be pushed back to the countries they fled; details on housing and legal status in CAR remain unclear, with some reportedly held near a firefighters’ base by the US embassy under construction. CAR Security Context: The US State Department warns Americans not to travel to CAR “for any reason,” citing unrest, crime, kidnapping, landmines, health risks and terrorism—raising fresh alarms about sending vulnerable people to a conflict-hit state. Regional Links: The flight reportedly stopped in Ghana, another hub for third-country deportations, before continuing to Bangui.

Deportation Crackdown: A US deportation flight carrying about two dozen migrants landed in the Central African Republic, including at least one Iranian woman, as lawyers warn the “third-country” transfers could leave people with court protections stranded in a country the US says is too dangerous to visit. Legal Fight Over Protections: Rights groups and attorneys say some deportees had “withholding of removal” in the US, with fears they could be pushed back to Iran or other home countries despite court orders. Humanitarian Alarm: The US State Department’s travel advisory for CAR—citing unrest, crime, kidnapping, landmines, health risks and terrorism—sits uneasily beside the transfers. Illicit Trade Spotlight: A new investigation says Dubai is a key destination for CAR conflict gold, linking gold flows to armed groups and networks tied to Russia’s Africa Corps. Economy Watch: CEMAC export earnings for CAR were hit by a sharp cocoa price slump in early 2026, dragging down agricultural export prices across the region.

US Deportations to CAR: The Trump administration has deported about 20 migrants from the US to the Central African Republic, including people from Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey and Georgia, with US officials warning Americans not to travel to CAR “for any reason” due to unrest, crime and kidnapping. Lawyers say the group includes an Iranian pro-democracy activist and other Iranian women who had received legal protection in the US, raising fears they could be forced back to the countries they fled. Third-Country Deal Backlash: Reuters and AP report the removals are tied to a “third-country” arrangement where deportees are housed in apartments in Bangui rather than immediately returned home—an approach critics call a legal loophole. Conflict Gold Trade: A new investigation says Dubai has become CAR’s “conflict gold hub,” with most declared gold exports since 2023 going to the UAE and networks linked to armed groups and smuggling; Russia’s Africa Corps is flagged as a major beneficiary. Mining Tragedy: A landslide at an illegal gold mining site in western CAR killed at least eight people, with several others reported missing. Ebola Alert Spillover: Health advisories elsewhere list CAR among high-risk Ebola travel destinations, underscoring how outbreaks across Central Africa keep triggering border screening and travel warnings.

Deportation Deal: The Trump administration is preparing a first-ever flight to the Central African Republic under a third-country deportation agreement, reportedly carrying about 20 people including Iranian asylum-seekers—two women say they face torture or persecution if sent back to Iran—plus Syrians and Afghans, with lawyers warning court protections are being bypassed. Organized Crime & Security: A new GI-TOC report says CAR has become an organized crime hub, with corruption, state fragility, and links to criminal networks—highlighting how Wagner-linked mercenaries and political-military figures profit from gold, diamonds, and logging. Mining Tragedy: At least eight artisanal gold miners died in a landslide at the Konyeme site in Nana-Mambere, with several more feared trapped; victims included a local resident and suspected Fulani foreign nationals. Sports Media Deal: New World TV expanded 2026 World Cup distribution across nine African countries via Orange’s Max it super-app, including CAR. Public Health Context: Ebola-related travel screening and advisories are being tightened across the region, with CAR listed among higher-risk countries in some guidance.

Mining Tragedy: A landslide at the Konyeme artisanal gold site in Nana-Mambere, western CAR, killed at least eight miners early Tuesday, including one local resident and seven suspected Fulani nationals; rescue teams recovered bodies and are still searching for about a dozen missing. Ebola Border Response: Trinidad and Tobago’s health authorities issued Ebola travel warnings tied to the DRC outbreak and said arrivals from Ebola-affected countries face enhanced screening and monitoring; the advisory also lists CAR among higher-risk destinations for extra caution. U.S. Deportation Deal: Reuters reports CAR has agreed to accept “third-country” deportees from the United States under Trump’s expanding migration programme, raising fresh due-process and safety concerns. Domestic Labor Curbs in Kuwait: Kuwait’s Interior Ministry restricted domestic-worker recruitment to 10 approved source countries and banned many others, including CAR, in updated Gulf labor rules. Health Crisis Watch: CAR has recorded more than 50 measles deaths since April in Vakaga, with officials citing dozens of child fatalities in Ndjiffa. Security & Illicit Economies: A new analysis says CAR has become a hub where political and military figures and transnational organized crime align to extract profits, reshaping violence and criminal markets.

Ebola Border Alert: Trinidad and Tobago’s Health Minister Dr. Lackram Bodoe says Ebola precautions are now in force, urging people to avoid travel to Ebola-affected countries in Central and East Africa—specifically the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan—while anyone who has visited or transited there will face enhanced screening and possible quarantine/monitoring on arrival. CAR in the Risk List: The same advisory also flags the Central African Republic as one of nine additional high-risk countries identified by the Africa CDC for extra caution. Deportation Deal Fallout: Reuters reports the Central African Republic has agreed to accept “third-country” deportees from the United States under Trump’s expanding removals programme, with details still unclear but with IOM expected to assist on arrival. Mining Tragedy: In western CAR, a landslide at the Konyeme artisanal gold site in Nana-Mambere killed at least eight miners, including a local resident and suspected Fulani foreign nationals, as rescue teams continue searching for missing people. Labour Rules Abroad: Kuwait’s new domestic worker recruitment circular restricts hiring to 10 approved source countries and bans recruitment from 27 others, including CAR, as Gulf states tighten labour corridors.

Deportation Deal: The Central African Republic has agreed to accept “third-country” migrants deported from the United States, in a Bangui deal discussed May 18; details on numbers and timing weren’t released, but the International Organization for Migration is expected to help on arrival. Mining Tragedy: A landslide at the Konyeme artisanal gold site in Nana-Mambere killed at least eight miners early Tuesday, including one local resident and seven suspected Fulani nationals, with more people feared missing as rescue teams continue. Ebola Preparedness: With WHO declaring the DRC/Uganda Ebola outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, CAR is listed among high-risk countries and regional health authorities are pushing tougher travel screening. Labour Rules Impact: Kuwait’s new domestic-worker recruitment rules allow hiring from only 10 countries and ban many others, including the Central African Republic, tightening access for would-be migrants. Football Friendly: Angola beat CAR 3-0 in a friendly in Casablanca, as both sides continue World Cup build-up.