KIGALI – Prime Minister, Justin Nsengiyumva, arrived in Bangui on March 30, 2026, to represent President Paul Kagame at the swearing-in of Faustin-Archange Touadéra, the President elect of the Central African Republic (CAR).
Touadéra, 68, begins a new term following his re-election in late 2025, where he secured a commanding victory with over three-quarters of the vote, defeating his closest rival, Anicet-Georges Dologuélé.
His renewed mandate is anchored in promises to consolidate peace, strengthen political institutions, and accelerate economic recovery through investment and infrastructure development.
A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that Nsengiyumva “is representing President Kagame at the inauguration ceremony of the elected President, Faustin-Archange Touadéra,” signaling Kigali’s continued diplomatic and strategic alignment with Bangui.
He was received with honors reserved for heads of government and state, reflecting Rwanda’s elevated role in the country’s affairs. Rwanda’s engagement in the Central African Republic has evolved into one of the most consequential bilateral security partnerships on the continent.
Since 2014, Rwandan troops and police have been key contributors to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, widely known as MINUSCA.
This involvement has been reinforced through a separate bilateral agreement signed in 2020, under which Rwanda deployed approximately 1,200 troops to help repel rebel forces that had advanced toward Bangui.
Today, Rwandan forces play a multifaceted role that extends beyond conventional peacekeeping. They are tasked with securing state institutions, protecting civilians, and safeguarding critical infrastructure, including M’Poko International Airport.
They also provide direct protection to the presidency and maintain security in Bangui and its surrounding areas, ensuring conditions for normal daily life. Equally significant is Rwanda’s contribution to rebuilding the Central African Republic’s own military capacity.
Through structured training programs, the Rwanda Defence Force has trained more than 2,400 soldiers and 300 non-commissioned officers, integrating successive cohorts into the national army between 2023 and 2025.
As Touadéra embarks on a new term, the inauguration marks not only a political transition but also a reaffirmation of a partnership defined by security cooperation, capacity building, and expanding economic ties in sectors such as mining, oil, and investment.
Rwanda is not just a diplomatically to the Central African Republic, but a pivotal actor in shaping its path toward stability and long-term recovery.
