Key facts
- The Central African Republic Conflict is a civil conflict in Central Africa, currently Active (Medium intensity).
- The Central African Republic faces ongoing instability from armed groups contesting territory outside the capital, despite peace agreements and the presence of UN and foreign security forces.
- Key actors: CAR government, Armed groups, UN peacekeepers (MINUSCA).
- What's at stake: Stabilization, Civilian protection, Resource control.
Latest developments
The headlines below are pulled automatically from Google News (the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) and link to primary reporting. They are updated periodically; last refreshed 2026-06-21.
- Central African Religious Leaders Concerned about US Deportees2026-06-18 — Christianity Today
- US deports Iranian pro-democracy activist to Central African Republic, lawyer says2026-06-12 — Reuters
- U.S. deports migrants from Afghanistan, Iran, other countries to violence-torn Central African Republic2026-06-12 — CBS News
- Women Who Fled Iran Are to Be Deported to Central African Republic, Lawyers Say2026-06-11 — The New York Times
- Refugee turned peacemaker: The young woman leader transforming communities in the Central African Republic2026-06-14 — UN News
- Central African Republic army denies coup rumours2026-06-16 — africanews.com
- Migrants deported from US, including an Iranian woman, arrive in Central African Republic2026-06-12 — AP News
- US deports migrants, including Iranian activist, to CAR2026-06-13 — dw.com
Overview
The Central African Republic faces ongoing instability from armed groups contesting territory outside the capital, despite peace agreements and the presence of UN and foreign security forces.
This page is an evergreen orientation. Figures and control change continually — confirm the latest with the primary sources listed below.
Key actors
- CAR government — and national forces.
- Armed groups — various factions in the interior.
- UN peacekeepers (MINUSCA) — supporting stabilization.
- Foreign security forces — external partners backing the government.
What's at stake
- Stabilization: extending state authority beyond the capital.
- Civilian protection: violence and displacement in the interior.
- Resource control: mining and trafficking economies.
- Foreign influence: external security partnerships.
Central African Republic explained: the key dynamics
Armed groups beyond the capital
While the government controls the capital, various armed groups contest territory across the interior, where state presence is limited and violence against civilians recurs.
Fragile peace agreements
A series of peace deals have reduced but not ended the fighting, with some armed groups signing on and others continuing to operate or fragment.
Foreign security partners
UN peacekeepers and foreign security forces support the government, a partnership that has shaped the balance of power but also drawn scrutiny.
Timeline: how the central african republic unfolded
- 2013 — A rebel coalition seizes power, triggering sectarian violence.
- 2014–18 — A UN peacekeeping mission deploys amid continued armed-group violence.
- 2019 — A peace agreement is signed with numerous armed groups.
- 2020–26 — Fighting continues in the interior despite the deal and foreign support.
How this conflict is mapped and tracked
The Central African Republic is tracked by ACLED as armed-group violence concentrated outside the capital, with UCDP recording the relevant dyads. Remote terrain and limited access make verification difficult, so figures are estimates.
For how these datasets differ, see ACLED vs UCDP vs CFR and our guide to conflict-tracking tools.
How it fits the global picture
This is one of 29 active armed conflict theaters tracked on the Global Armed Conflicts Map. Explore related and concurrent conflicts:
Frequently asked questions
Is the Central African Republic at war in 2026?
The country faces ongoing low-to-medium intensity conflict with armed groups despite peace deals. Confirm the current status with primary sources such as ACLED, UCDP, and the CFR Global Conflict Tracker.
Who is fighting in the Central African Republic?
The government, backed by UN peacekeepers and foreign forces, contends with various armed groups in the interior.
How can I follow it live?
Use the interactive conflict map to see this theater alongside 28 other active conflicts, filter by intensity and region, and open intelligence briefings for each.
Is the Central African Republic at peace?
Not fully. A 2019 agreement reduced fighting, but armed groups continue to operate in the interior, and the government relies on UN peacekeepers and foreign forces to hold ground.
Who supports the CAR government?
UN peacekeepers and foreign security forces support the government; the role of external partners has been significant and at times controversial.