The Central African Republic (CAR) has diplomatic relations with 115 out of the 193 United Nations member states as well as the State of Palestine.
The country's attempts at an open policy towards neighbouring countries have been strained due to the long-standing civil war as well as broader regional conflicts such as reoccuring tensions between Chad and Sudan. In the 2010s, France maintained a military presence in the country. This was largely halted in 2016. The last French troops left in 2022 after relations with France soured due to the country's increasing ties to Russia under Faustin-Archange Touadéra.[1] Since 2018, the Wagner Group, a Russian private military company, has carried out operations in the CAR.[2]
The Central African Republic is an active member in several Central African organizations, including the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the Bank of Central African States (BEAC) and the African Development Bank (AfDB). Standardization of tax, customs, and security arrangements between the Central African states is a major foreign policy objective of the CAR Government. The CAR is a participant in the Community of Sahel–Saharan States (CEN-SAD), and the African Union (AU). Additionally, it is a member of the Francophonie and an observer state of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Other multilateral organizations—including the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, United Nations agencies, European Union, and the African Development Bank—and bilateral donors—including the Republic of Korea, Germany, Japan, the European Union, and the United States—are significant development partners for the CAR.
List of countries which the Central African Republic maintains diplomatic relations with:
Country | Date | ||
---|---|---|---|
1 | [3] | ||
2 | [4] | ||
3 | [5] | ||
4 | [6] | ||
5 | [7] | ||
6 | [8] | ||
7 | [9] [10] | ||
8 | [11] | ||
9 | [12] | ||
10 | [13] | ||
11 | [14] | ||
12 | [15] | ||
13 | [16] | ||
14 | [17] | ||
15 | [18] | ||
16 | [19] | ||
17 | [20] | ||
18 | [21] | ||
19 | [22] | ||
20 | [23] | ||
21 | [24] | ||
22 | [25] | ||
23 | [26] | ||
24 | [27] | ||
25 | [28] | ||
— | [29] | ||
26 | [30] | ||
27 | [31] | ||
28 | [32] | ||
29 | [33] | ||
30 | [34] | ||
31 | [35] | ||
32 | [36] | ||
33 | [37] | ||
34 | [38] | ||
35 | [39] | ||
36 | [40] | ||
37 | [41] | ||
38 | [42] | ||
39 | [43] | ||
40 | [44] | ||
41 | [45] | ||
42 | [46] | ||
43 | [47] | ||
44 | [48] | ||
45 | [49] | ||
46 | [50] | ||
47 | [51] | ||
48 | [52] | ||
49 | [53] | ||
50 | [54] | ||
51 | [55] | ||
52 | [56] | ||
53 | [57] | ||
54 | [58] | ||
55 | [59] | ||
56 | [60] [61] | ||
57 | [62] | ||
58 | [63] | ||
— | [64] | ||
59 | [65] | ||
60 | [66] | ||
61 | [67] | ||
62 | [68] | ||
63 | [69] | ||
64 | [70] | ||
65 | [71] | ||
66 | [72] | ||
67 | [73] | ||
68 | [74] | ||
69 | [75] | ||
70 | [76] | ||
71 | |||
72 | [77] | ||
73 | [78] | ||
74 | |||
75 | |||
76 | |||
77 | |||
78 | |||
79 | |||
80 | |||
81 | |||
82 | [79] | ||
83 | [80] | ||
84 | |||
85 | |||
86 | [81] | ||
87 | [82] | ||
88 | [83] | ||
89 | [84] | ||
90 | [85] | ||
91 | [86] | ||
92 | [87] | ||
93 | [88] | ||
94 | |||
95 | [89] | ||
96 | |||
97 | [90] | ||
98 | |||
99 | [91] | ||
100 | [92] | ||
101 | |||
102 | |||
103 | |||
104 | |||
105 | [93] | ||
106 | |||
107 | [94] | ||
108 | [95] | ||
109 | |||
110 | Unknown[96] | ||
111 | Unknown[97] | ||
112 | Unknown[98] | ||
113 | Unknown[99] | ||
114 | Unknown | ||
115 | Unknown[100] |
See also: List of diplomatic missions in the Central African Republic and List of diplomatic missions of the Central African Republic. Sixteen countries have resident diplomatic representatives in Bangui, and the CAR maintains approximately nineteen missions abroad. The countries the CAR maintains bilateral relations with include the following:
Country | Formal relations began | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | 1960 | Cameroon is the most important regional trade partner of the CAR: in 2022, imports from Cameroon accounted for $243 million.[101] Moreover, 80% of the CAR's imports arrive through the port of Douala,[102] before being transported along a 1,450 km road to Bangui which includes unpaved stretches.[103] The war has created a massive influx of refugees into Cameroon; as of 2024, the country held 282,000 Central African refugees.[104] The two countries suffer from border-related issues including violent rebel raids for supplies as well as competing claims to some villages and towns. In 2022, Cameroon and the CAR held three-day talks in Yaoundé, where they agreed to demarcate the border and intensify their joint military presence in border towns.[105] | |
![]() | 29 February 1964 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 February 1964 when has been accredited first Permanent Representative (Ambassador) of Chad to Central African Republic Mr. Thomas Keiro. Chad is one of President François Bozizé's closest allies. Before seizing power in 2003, Bozizé's rebel group was equipped and trained in Chad. The group that finally overthrew President Ange-Félix Patassé consisted of–in addition to Bozizé's own rebels–100 soldiers from the Chad National Army. In addition to the 121 Chadian soldiers in the Multinational Force in the Central African Republic (FOMUC), there are still 150 soldiers from Chad in the CAR. The majority is found within the president's lifeguard, while others patrol Bangui and the north-west parts of the country.[106] Chad's president Idriss Déby has an interest in tranquility in north-western CAR, due to the proximity to the location of the Chad-Cameroon Petroleum Development and Pipeline Project. In April 2006, the Chadian rebel group United Front for Democratic Change, which is based in Darfur used C.A.R. as a transit route to Chad, when attacking N'Djamena. Bozizé, who has received much support from President Déby, immediately decided to close the CAR-Sudan border (a decision which he has no capacity at all to enforce). The border was officially closed between April and December. Already a couple of weeks later, an Antonov cargo plane crossed the border from Sudan and landed at Tiringoulou airport in C.A.R., where it unloaded weapons and about 50 armed men who spread out in the area. In the end of June, Central African military and FOMUC peacekeepers clashed with these men near Gordil, resulting in at least 30 casualties. Chad had also maintained good relations with the previous president, Patassé. They were one of the countries that sent troops to defend Patassé during the mutinies in 1996-1997 and assisted in negotiating the subsequent Bangui Agreements. Following the increase of violence in north-western C.A.R. in late 2005, there were at the end of 2006 about 50,000 refugees from C.A.R. in Chad.[107] | |
29 September 1964 | See main article: Central African Republic–China relations. Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 September 1964. However, when Bokasa came to power, the Central African regime decided to cut off its diplomatic relations with China in January 1966 and resumed its diplomatic relations with Taiwan in May 1968. The relations between China and Central Africa were normalized following the signing of a joint communiqué between the two countries on 20 August 1976. On 8 July 1991, the Central African government again resumed its relations with Taiwan. Therefore, China had to announce the suspension of its diplomatic relations with Central Africa. On 29 January 1998, the two countries resumed ambassadorial-level diplomatic relations after signing the joint communiqué on the resumption of diplomatic relations. | ||
See main article: Central African Republic–Democratic Republic of the Congo relations. Bozizé has surprisingly good relations both with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila and the former rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba. When the old president Kolingba tried to overthrow Patassé in May 2001, the Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC) came to his rescue. MLC controlled the northern part of DRC and its rebels were stationed on the other side of the Ubangi river from Bangui. The MLC executed between 60 and 120 persons, mainly from the Yakoma tribe and committed atrocities–including killing, looting and rape–against the population. This terror and the crimes carried out during MLC's war against Bozizé's rebels between October 2002 and March 2003 is now being investigated by the International Criminal Court, which says it has identified 600 rape victims and the real numbers are expected to be higher.[108] Most of the crimes were committed by Congolese MLC soldiers, but Bozizé's rebels, including elements from Chad, were also responsible.[109] During Bozizé's time in power, new clashes have taken place between his soldiers and the MLC. Bozizé has strengthened military presence along the border and deployed an amphibious force patrolling the Ubangi river. There were refugees from DRC in C.A.R. from July 1999 (when Kabila advanced in the region bordering C.A.R.). The refugees were repatriated following an agreement between UNHCR and the governments of the two countries in 2004. Refugees from C.A.R. in DRC were beginning to be repatriated in July 2004. Currently, several hundred troops of the Military of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are stationed in CAR. | |||
![]() | 14 August 1960 | See main article: Central African Republic–France relations. Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 August 1960[110] Although drops in its external assistance budget have reduced French military and social development aid to the country, France remains the most important bilateral donor and the country from which CAR receives most imports. Its historic ties, its long military presence as well as its economic influence have also given it a political influence. France closed its military bases in Bangui and Bouar in 1997 as a part of its new Africa policy and relations with CAR decreased during the rule of former president Ange-Félix Patassé. France was however the first country to recognise Bozizé's government and during his time in power France has given logistic and intelligence support to the peace missions in the country. | |
![]() | 14 June 1967 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 June 1967.Ghana is represented in the Central African Republic through its embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[113] | |
![]() | 10 November 1961 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 November 1961 when government of the CAR agreed to the appointment of Ephraim Ben-Haim as Israel's first Ambassador to Central African Republic.[114] But CAR severed diplomatic relations with Israel on 21 October 1973.[115] Diplomatic relations were restored on 16 January 1989.[116] The CAR also recognizes the State of Palestine. In the United Nations General Assembly, its position has varied over time. In the Bokassa era, as the country remained a Western and especially French ally,[117] it was among 35 countries voting against the 1975 resolution determining that Zionism is a form of racism.[118] However, it has taken a more favorable stance towards Palestine in recent years, voting in favour of the 2023 resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza war[119] and the 2024 resolution upgrading Palestine's rights in the UN.[120] | |
![]() | 6 May 1971 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 May 1971 Libya still plays an important role in the domestic politics of C.A.R.. Libya assisted C.A.R. in negotiating a peace agreement was signed in Tripoli in February 2007, between President Bozizé and the head of the Front démocratique du people centrafricain (FDPC) rebel movement (who is also said to have close ties to Union of Democratic Forces for Unity (UFDR), the rebel group that seized several cities in northern C.A.R. in November 2006).[121] Libya was previously one of the former president Patassé's closest allies, providing him with strong military support when he no longer trusted his own military or France. Patassé granted Libyan enterprises outstanding economic advantages, such as a 99-year concession on diamonds, gold, oil and uranium all over the country.[122] It is not known whether these agreements are still valid, but Bozizé has anyway a continuously good relation with Libya. | |
![]() | 4 February 2020 | Both nations established diplomatic relations on 4 February 2020 in New York City, with the signing by their respective ambassadors to the United Nations.[123]
| |
![]() | 2 April 1974 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 April 1974 when Pakistan's first ambassador to the Central African Republic, Mr. Sha Ansani presented credentials to President Jean Bedel Bokassa.[125] The Central African Republic has maintained friendly relations with Pakistan, however they are not very Intense. Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has paid a state visit to Bangui in 1997. | |
7 December 1960 | See main article: Central African Republic–Russia relations. See also: Wagner Group activities in the Central African Republic. Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 December 1960 In March 2018, Russia agreed to provide free military aid to the Central African Republic, sending small arms, ammunition, and 175 instructors to train the Central African Armed Forces.[126] The advisers are believed to be members of the Wagner Group.[127] It was Russia's largest military deployment to Africa since the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union.[128], the CAR is considering hosting a Russian Armed Forces base.[129] A former Russian intelligence official has been installed by the Central African president as his top security adviser.[130] | ||
![]() | 27 November 1964 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 November 1964
| |
![]() | 1962 | See main article: Central African Republic–Sudan relations. Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1962 Given that Bozizé accuses Sudan of supporting the UFDR rebels who are actively fighting the Central African Government, the relation between the two countries has remained good. Bozizé even planned to visit Khartoum in December 2006, but had to cancel his trip when Chad (which has strained relations with the Sudanese Government) threatened to withdraw its military support to C.A.R. Bozizé said that he was afraid of getting involved in the Darfur crisis and claimed that the solution is in the hands of Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir.[131] During the Second Sudanese Civil War (1983–2005), there was a massive uncontrolled crossing of the Sudan-C.A.R. border by soldiers from the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), looking for safety during periods of attacks or drought. At the same time, C.A.R. was used by the Sudanese Armed Forces when launching attacks on the SPLA. Moreover, thousands of Sudanese refugees lived in C.A.R.; at the peak of the influx, by the early 1990s there were 36,000 Sudanese refugees in Mboki in south-east C.A.R. About half of the refugees were SPLA soldiers with more than 5000 weapons, who allegedly occupied towns as far as 200 km into the C.A.R. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was forced to close its refugee camp at Mboki in October 2002, due to the high prevalence of weapons. After the war, all refugees were repatriated to Sudan; the last of the 9,700 remaining in Central African Republic were evacuated in April 2007.[132] Sudan was one of the contributors to the peacekeeping force of the Community of Sahel–Saharan States (CEN-SAD) in Central African Republic in 2001–2002. | |
![]() | 29 January 1980 | See main article: Central African Republic–Turkey relations. Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 January 1980
| |
![]() | The UK established diplomatic relations with the Central African Republic on 9 December 1960.
Both countries share common membership of the World Trade Organization. | ||
![]() | 13 August 1960 | See main article: Central African Republic–United States relations. Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 August 1960[136] The U.S. Embassy in Bangui was briefly closed as a result of the 1996–97 mutinies. It reopened in 1998 with limited staff, but U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Peace Corps missions previously operating in Bangui did not return. The American Embassy in Bangui again temporarily suspended operations on November 2, 2002, in response to security concerns raised by the October 2002 launch of François Bozizé's 2003 military coup. The Embassy reopened in January 2005; however, there currently is limited U.S. diplomatic/consular representation in the CAR. As a result, the ability of the Embassy to provide services to American citizens remains extremely limited. The United States Department of State approved the lifting of Section 508 aid restrictions triggered by the coup; U.S. assistance to the Central African Republic had been prohibited except in the areas of humanitarian aid and support for democratization.[137] |