AGP Executive Report

Bozizé Trial 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 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 in court, while three former senior officers are present. Military Denies Coup Rumours: CAR’s armed forces have publicly rejected social media claims of a coup plot, saying the state remains stable and urging citizens to rely on official information. US Deportations to CAR: Reuters reports the US has deported an Iranian pro-democracy activist to Bangui under a third-country transfer deal, with lawyers warning of serious risks and uncertainty over where deportees will be housed. Electrification Push: The World Bank and AfDB say Mission 300 has connected over 50 million people to electricity across 40 African countries, with CAR named among countries expected to sign compacts. Borrowing Costs in CEMAC: A BEAC report says lending rates across CEMAC rose sharply in early 2026, making credit more expensive for households, businesses and public institutions. Mozambicans to Be Repatriated: Mozambique says it is taking steps to repatriate 14 nationals stranded in CAR after a fraudulent job recruitment scheme.

Bozizé Trial 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 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 present. Electricity Push: The World Bank and AfDB say their Mission 300 has connected over 50 million people to electricity across 40 African countries, with nearly double the rollout pace since 2024—an effort that also includes policy reforms and financing to reach 300 million by 2030. CEMAC Borrowing Costs: A BEAC report says lending rates across CEMAC jumped in early 2026, raising credit costs for households, businesses and public institutions, with Cameroon still the biggest credit market despite slower lending. US Deportations to CAR: Multiple reports say the US has deported migrants, including an Iranian pro-democracy activist, to Bangui under a third-country transfer deal, with critics warning about secrecy and risks for people with no local support. Mozambican Repatriation: Mozambique says it is taking steps to repatriate 14 Mozambicans stranded in CAR after a fraudulent job recruitment scheme, with passports reportedly confiscated and movements restricted. Rumour Control: CAR’s military has denied social media claims of a coup plot, saying state institutions are functioning normally and urging citizens to rely on official information.

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 after a stop in Accra. Lawyers and rights groups call the “third-country” transfers extremely dangerous, warning some people could be forced back to the countries they fled, while authorities have given little clarity on where deportees will be housed or their status. 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 disappearance, torture and rape; Bozizé is in exile in Guinea-Bissau, while three senior officers are in pre-trial detention in CAR. Electricity push: World Bank and AfDB say Mission 300 has connected over 50 million people to power across 40 countries, and that the Central African Republic is among those signing up to expand electrification. Coup rumours denied: CAR’s army says social media claims of a coup plot are false and urges citizens to rely only on official information.

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; Bozizé, 79, is in exile in Guinea-Bissau, while three former senior officers linked to him are in pre-trial detention in CAR. Human rights concerns: Amnesty International says the trial’s in-absentia setup “tarnishes” the process and urges full arrest and extradition so victims and defendants can face each other in court. Security rumors denied: CAR’s army has publicly rejected social media claims of a coup plot, saying state institutions are functioning normally and warning citizens not to spread misinformation. US deportations to CAR: Multiple reports say the US has deported around 20 migrants, including an Iranian pro-democracy activist and other Iranian women with legal protections, to Bangui under “third-country” arrangements, with lawyers and activists calling the transfers extremely dangerous amid CAR’s instability. Regional integration debate: A new analysis argues Central Africa’s digital economy depends heavily on cloud infrastructure hosted outside the region, raising questions about how “integration” works in practice.

US Deportations to CAR: A first deportation flight from the United States landed in Bangui with around 20-plus migrants, including an Iranian pro-democracy activist and other Iranians, Afghans, and nationals from Turkey and Georgia; lawyers say some had “withholding of removal” protections, raising fears they could be forced back to persecution. Humanitarian Concern: Civil society groups complain about secrecy on where people are housed and their legal status, while the US State Department warns Americans “do not travel” to CAR due to violence, crime, kidnapping, and terrorism. Peacekeeping Accountability: Denmark and Pakistan pushed a UN Security Council draft resolution aimed at strengthening accountability for attacks on UN peacekeepers, citing rising assaults using drones and advanced weapons. Education Under Fire: A new study highlights that schooling collapses hardest where armed groups target children directly, not just where conflict is generally present. Trade and Fuel Infrastructure: Tradex won a contract to develop and run fuel stations along Central African trade corridors, including routes linking Douala to Bangui, supporting logistics “life centers” for truckers. CEMAC Export Hit: Cocoa prices fell sharply, dragging down agricultural export earnings across CEMAC, including the Central African Republic.

Education Under Fire: A new study warns conflict hits schooling hardest in places where armed groups target children directly, pushing parents to keep kids home when schools no longer feel safe. US Deportations to CAR: The biggest CAR-related development this week is the arrival of US “third-country” deportees in Bangui, including an Iranian pro-democracy activist and other migrants from Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey and Georgia, with lawyers saying some had legal protections and could face persecution or torture if forced back. Secrecy and Housing Questions: Reports say authorities have provided little detail on how many people are on flights or where they’re held, with some temporarily housed near a US embassy area under construction—sparking anger from civil society groups. Humanitarian Alarm: The US State Department’s “do not travel” advisory for CAR sits alongside these transfers, raising fresh concerns about safety, support, and legal safeguards for vulnerable arrivals. Illicit Gold Trade: A new investigation says Dubai is a key destination for CAR gold, linking gold flows to armed groups and networks, and pointing to Russia-linked security interests in the country.

US Deportations to CAR: The Trump administration has deported at least one Iranian pro-democracy activist to the Central African Republic, with lawyers warning the transfer is “extremely dangerous” for people who had legal protection in the US, including women facing persecution or torture if returned to Iran; reports say a first flight carried around two dozen migrants from places including Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey and Georgia, landing in Bangui after a stop in Ghana, while authorities have kept details scarce and civil society groups accuse the government of secrecy. Humanitarian Risk in Bangui: The US State Department’s “do not travel” warning for CAR highlights risks of violence, kidnapping and terrorism, yet deportees are reportedly housed temporarily in Bangui with unclear nationalities and legal status, raising fears they could be pushed back to their original countries. 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, underscoring how armed networks profit from CAR’s resources. Regional Economy Watch: Cocoa prices fell sharply in early 2026, dragging down CEMAC agricultural export earnings, with the Central African Republic included in the affected export basket.

US Third-Country Deportations: A first US deportation flight carrying about two dozen migrants landed in Bangui, with lawyers saying it included an Iranian pro-democracy activist and other nationals from Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey and Georgia; the US State Department warns Americans “do not travel” to CAR, while critics say the transfers are opaque and may leave people with no ties or support. Legal and Human Rights Fallout: The activist’s lawyer called the move “super dangerous,” saying court-protected migrants could still be forced back to the countries they fled; details on housing and nationalities were not clearly shared. Local Reception Questions: Reports say some arrivals were placed in hotels in central Bangui, but authorities kept silent, fueling civil society anger over lack of information. Illicit Economy Link: A separate investigation says Dubai is a major destination for CAR conflict-linked gold, with Russia’s Africa Corps (formerly Wagner) benefiting from illicit gold flows.

Deportations to CAR: A first US deportation flight carrying migrants to the Central African Republic landed in Bangui late Friday, with lawyers and activists saying the group includes an Iranian pro-democracy activist and other nationals (reported around two dozen) from countries such as Afghanistan, Turkey and Georgia; authorities have kept details scarce, including where people will be housed and their nationalities, while critics warn at least one Iranian woman—protected in the US—could be forced back toward persecution. Local Response: Civil society groups in Bangui are angry about the “silence” around the operation, with reports that some arrivals were placed in hotels and others temporarily held near the US embassy area under construction. Humanitarian Risk: The US State Department continues to list CAR as a “Do not travel” destination, citing violence and kidnapping, as the deportation plan expands under “third-country” transfers. Regional Context: The same week also saw reporting on CAR’s role in wider illicit gold trade networks tied to armed groups and foreign smuggling routes, raising additional concerns about security and governance.

US Deportations to CAR: A US deportation flight carrying about two dozen migrants, including an Iranian pro-democracy activist and other Iranians, landed in Bangui after a stop in Ghana. Lawyers say some deportees had legal protections in the US, including “withholding of removal,” raising fears they could be forced back to the countries they fled. The US State Department warns Americans “Do not travel to Central African Republic for any reason,” citing violence and kidnapping. Third-Country Deal Fallout: The transfers are part of Trump’s wider “third-country” deportation approach, using CAR as a destination under agreements that critics call a legal loophole. CAR Security and Housing Questions: Sources say some arrivals were temporarily held near a firefighters’ base by the US embassy compound under construction, while others were set for different locations. Regional Trade Pressure: Separately, CEMAC export prices fell in Q1 2026, with cocoa driving a sharp drop that also hit CAR-linked earnings.

Deportation Crisis: A US deportation flight has landed in the Central African Republic carrying about two dozen migrants, including Iranian nationals, as part of Trump’s “third-country” removals—despite the US State Department warning “do not travel” to CAR for any reason. Lawyers say at least two Iranian women had “withholding of removal” protections in the US, including a Christian convert and a pro-democracy activist, raising fears they could be forced back to the countries they fled. Human Rights Pressure: Activists and lawyers argue the transfers bypass court protections and leave people with no local ties in CAR, where insecurity and violence are widespread. Regional Trade Shock: Separately, CEMAC export earnings are taking a hit as international agricultural prices fell sharply in early 2026, with cocoa prices down 24.6% driving the decline—affecting Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Chad and CAR. Illicit Gold Trade: A new investigation says Dubai has become a key destination for CAR conflict gold, with networks linked to armed groups and Russia’s Africa Corps benefiting from illicit shipments.

Deportations to CAR: The Trump administration has deported about 20 migrants to the Central African Republic, including people from Afghanistan and Iran, with U.S. officials warning Americans not to travel to CAR “for any reason” due to violence, crime, kidnapping and health risks. Legal backlash: Lawyers say some deportees had U.S. court protections such as “withholding of removal,” including at least two Iranian women—one a Christian convert and one a pro-democracy activist—who fear forced return to persecution or torture. Third-country deal: Reports say CAR has agreed to accept “third-country” deportees, with the first flights expected to carry roughly 20 people, also including Syrians and Afghans. Conflict-gold spotlight: A new investigation says Dubai is a major destination for CAR conflict-linked gold, with illicit networks and Russia-linked security interests benefiting. Mining tragedy: A landslide at an illegal gold mining site in western CAR killed at least eight people, with several still missing. Ebola watch: Health advisories elsewhere flag CAR as a high-risk area amid an Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak in parts of Central and East Africa.

US Deportations to CAR: Lawyers and a government official say the Trump administration is preparing a first-ever flight to the Central African Republic under a third-country deal, expected to carry about 20 people including two Iranian women facing possible torture or persecution, plus migrants from Syria and Afghanistan. Ebola Border Warnings: Health authorities in the region are tightening travel rules tied to the Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak, with CAR listed among high-risk countries and calls for enhanced screening for travelers. Mining Tragedy in Nana-Mambere: A landslide at the Konyeme artisanal gold site killed at least eight miners, including one local resident and seven suspected Fulani foreign nationals, with more people feared missing after rescue efforts began. CAR as Organized Crime Hub: A GI-TOC report says CAR’s corruption, fragility, and links to criminal networks—often tied to Wagner-aligned influence—have helped consolidate illicit markets, especially around minerals. Sports Distribution Deal: New World TV says it has partnered with Orange to distribute its sports channels across multiple countries including CAR, expanding access to major competitions like the 2026 World Cup.

Mining Tragedy: A landslide hit the Konyeme artisanal gold site in Nana-Mambere, western Central African Republic, killing at least eight miners early Tuesday; rescuers recovered eight bodies and say around a dozen people may still be missing, including one local resident and seven suspected Fulani foreign nationals. Ebola Precautions: CAR is named among high-risk countries in a new Ebola travel advisory issued abroad, while health authorities stress enhanced screening for travelers arriving from Ebola-affected areas and urge people to avoid travel to the most affected countries. Deportation Deal: Reuters reports CAR has agreed to accept “third-country” deportees from the United States under Trump’s expanding removals programme, with the International Organization for Migration expected to assist arrivals; details on numbers and timing remain unclear. Illicit Gold Warning: A GI-TOC report says illicit gold markets are fueling conflict and organized crime across Africa, pointing to weak regulation and informal mining as key drivers. Wildlife & Conservation: A long study in Cameroon shows gorillas can relearn trust after poaching fear, while separate research in CAR’s Dzanga-Sangha tracks forest elephant communication using continuous acoustic recordings.

Ebola Alert: CAR is named among African “high-risk” Ebola zones as Trinidad and Tobago tightens border checks, with returnees from DRC, Uganda and South Sudan facing enhanced screening and mandatory monitoring. Travel Restrictions: The same advisory urges nationals to avoid travel to the three affected countries and exercise extreme caution in nine others, including CAR. Deportation Deal: Reuters reports CAR has agreed to accept “third-country” deportees from the United States under Trump’s expanding removals programme, with details on numbers and timing still unclear and rights groups warning of legal loopholes. Mining Tragedy: In western CAR, a landslide at the Konyeme artisanal gold site killed at least eight miners and left others missing, highlighting ongoing dangers in informal mining. Sports: Angola beat CAR 3-0 in a friendly in Morocco ahead of the World Cup build-up.

Third-Country Deportees Deal: The Central African Republic has agreed to receive migrants deported from the United States under a “third-country” arrangement, with talks held in Bangui on May 18; details on numbers, nationalities, and timing are still unclear, but the International Organization for Migration is expected to assist arrivals. Mining Safety Crisis: A landslide at the Konyeme artisanal gold site in Nana-Mambere prefecture killed at least eight miners overnight into Tuesday, including one local resident and seven suspected Fulani foreign nationals, while search teams continue for others missing. Ebola Preparedness: With the WHO declaring the DRC/Uganda Ebola outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, the CAR is listed among high-risk countries and regional health authorities are pushing stronger travel screening and response readiness. Regional Security Narrative: Uganda’s UPDF says repatriated returnees from South Sudan were recruited for SPLM-IO, not LRA fighters linked to Joseph Kony, correcting earlier claims that tied them to CAR. CEMAC Finance Watch: The Bank of Central African States (BEAC) has suspended new refinancing under a facility meant to support productive investment, citing a temporary pause to update the operating framework.