President Paul Kagame and his Central African Republic (CAR) counterpart Faustin-Archange Touadéra held discussions in Kigali as the visiting Head of State embarked a two-day working mission aimed at strengthening the long-standing partnership between the two countries.
Touadéra arrived in Kigali on 23 November 2025 and was welcomed by Rwanda’s Minister of Internal Security, Dr. Vincent Biruta, before meeting President Kagame later that evening.
The talks, according to Village Urugwiro and the Office of the President, focused on reviewing the ongoing cooperation between Rwanda and the Central African Republic, with a particular emphasis on security support, defence collaboration, and broader bilateral engagement.
Both Heads of State also exchanged views on new opportunities to deepen ties across sectors that can deliver direct benefits to citizens in both nations.
Rwanda and the Central African Republic have built a strong and consistent partnership over the past decade, largely underpinned by Rwanda’s security involvement in CAR.
Rwandan troops first deployed to the Central African Republic in early 2014 as part of efforts to stabilize the country following prolonged unrest triggered by armed groups who later formed the Séléka coalition.
The initial deployment took place under the African Union mission, MISCA, and was later integrated into the United Nations peacekeeping mission, MINUSCA. These operations contributed to restoring stability during some of the most volatile years of the conflict.
Their intervention came during a period marked by attempts to seize power and rising insecurity that affected communities in several regions.
Since then, Rwandan peacekeepers have undertaken a wide range of responsibilities, including the protection of civilians, securing UN installations, providing safety for the CAR Head of State and his family, and safeguarding key government facilities.
In 2020, Rwanda expanded its involvement through a bilateral security agreement that allowed for the deployment of additional troops beyond those assigned under the UN mission. This cooperation has since grown to include capacity-building programs for CAR’s security forces.
Under these arrangements, Rwandan military trainers have played a central role in supporting the reform of CAR’s armed forces.
Notably, the third cohort of 438 Central African soldiers trained by the Rwanda Defence Force completed their courses in March 2025, receiving instruction in combat readiness, enemy detection, map-reading, counter-infiltration methods, and field exercises.
Security cooperation between the two countries has delivered results beyond military training. Over the years, Rwandan security personnel have extended their support to civilian communities in the Central African Republic, providing medical services and contributing to local stabilization efforts.
These initiatives reflect a broader commitment to improving the wellbeing of the population, not only defending territory but also supporting community resilience.
In February 2025, Rwanda and CAR formalized their collaboration further by signing a security cooperation agreement through their respective ministries, reaffirming their shared interest in peace, stability, and long-term security coordination.
The agreement underscored the maturity of relations between the two countries, extending well beyond defence to cooperation in sectors such as infrastructure, health, and mining.
The continued engagement between Kagame and Touadéra demonstrates how both governments view their partnership as strategic and mutually beneficial.
Rwanda’s support in CAR’s peacekeeping and state-building processes has become an important element of regional stability, while CAR’s collaboration with Rwanda has created new channels for development assistance, institutional growth, and shared investment prospects.
President Touadéra’s visit to Rwanda comes at a significant moment for his country, with presidential elections scheduled for December 2025. His trip takes place just months after announcing in July that he would seek another term in office.
The working visit allowed the two leaders to assess ongoing programs, evaluate progress made over the years, and identify areas where cooperation can be expanded to serve the future needs of both countries.
