The bases, located in Mbrès (Nana-Grébizi prefecture) and Dékoa (Kémo prefecture), were part of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), deployed since 2014 with UN Security Council approval to protect civilians and support the peace process.
According to the mission, the closures are part of a broader reorganization of its security apparatus, reflecting a relative improvement in local conditions and the gradual transfer of responsibilities to CAR authorities.
MINUSCA emphasized that this is not a full withdrawal; the mission will continue to support security through long-range patrols, particularly along strategic axes such as Dékoa-Mala and Dékoa-Bouca.
The handover also includes formal agreements to maintain operational continuity and ensure local security forces can leverage the bases effectively.
Shifting foreign footprints in Africa
France’s Sahelian presence, for example, has been gradually scaled back following years of counterterrorism operations in Mali and Niger, signaling a broader reevaluation of foreign military engagement in Africa.
These plans aim to support counterterrorism operations, maritime security, and rapid response capabilities in areas threatened by extremist groups, highlighting a shift from traditional peacekeeping to more flexible, security-oriented foreign presence.
As African states gradually assume more responsibility for their territories, foreign missions are being restructured rather than fully withdrawn, reflecting a new phase in international security partnerships.
