AGP Executive Report

Ebola Alert: Two cases have been reported in North Ubangi, the DRC province bordering the Central African Republic, making it the outbreak’s eighth affected province. Congolese authorities have not officially confirmed them. The spread raises concern for CAR, as Ebola deaths among young children have mounted elsewhere in the DRC. Cost of Living: A World Vision study says a worker in CAR needs about 30 days’ wages to afford a basic basket of 10 foods, among the starkest affordability gaps measured across 62 countries. Fuel Prices: Unions and civil society groups are urging the government to reverse October’s fuel price increases, warning they will push up transport and food costs as households face shortages and stagnant wages. School Meals: WFP says its feeding programme reaches more than 250,000 children in 335 schools, helping attendance while creating markets for local farmers. UNDP’s latest poverty index also lists CAR among five countries where multidimensional poverty rose.

Ebola Alert: The outbreak in neighboring DR Congo has reached North Ubangi, a province bordering the Central African Republic. Two cases were reported there, raising concern about further regional spread. Food Costs: A World Vision report says workers in CAR need about 30 days’ wages to afford a basic basket of 10 foods, underscoring the pressure on household budgets. School Meals: WFP provides meals to more than 250,000 children in 335 CAR schools; the programme is also helping lift enrolment and support local farmers. Fuel Prices: A recent price rise has fuelled protests and calls for a reversal, with unions warning that higher transport costs will add to the cost of food and daily life. Deportation Fallout: A Cuban transgender woman deported from the US is living in Bangui, hiding her identity and lacking documents that would let her work.

Security: UN peacekeepers and Central African troops have stepped up joint patrols in Vakaga. Women’s Football: Algeria beat the Central African Republic 7–0 in the Olympic qualifying return leg, completing a 15–0 aggregate win; Algeria now faces Burkina Faso. Digital Links: Bangui is reviving plans for a fibre-optic connection through the DRC, potentially giving the landlocked country a third international route to subsea cables. Cost of Living: Unions and civil society groups are demanding reversal of the October 1 fuel-price increase, warning it will drive up transport and food costs. Rights in Bangui: A Cuban transgender woman deported from the United States says she is hiding her identity and cannot work without documents as she seeks asylum elsewhere. Currency: Five older CFA franc coin series lose legal-tender status across CEMAC on November 1; holders can exchange them through October 2027.

Olympic Qualifiers: Algeria beat the Central African Republic 7–0 in the return leg, eliminating the women’s team 15–0 on aggregate and advancing to the third round. Digital Links: CAR and the DRC have revived plans for a cross-border fibre connection that would give the landlocked country a third route to international internet cables. Fuel Costs: A recent price hike has drawn protests from unions and civil society, who warn higher fuel costs will push up transport and food prices. Deportation: Daniela Fuentes, a transgender Cuban woman sent to Bangui from the US, says she is hiding her identity and fears for her safety while living without documents. Regional Trade: Cameroon has secured a $238 million loan to upgrade the Douala–Bafoussam corridor, a key transit route for CAR cargo. Currency: Older CEMAC coins lose legal-tender status on November 1; holders can exchange them through October 2027.

Deportations: Daniela Fuentes, a transgender Cuban woman sent from the U.S. to Bangui, says she hides her identity and rarely leaves the compound where deportees are housed. She hopes to seek asylum elsewhere. Fuel Costs: A price rise that took effect on Oct. 1 has drawn protests from unions and civil society groups, who warn it will push up transport and food costs. Organizers called for a nationwide shutdown on Oct. 12. Women’s Football: Algeria beat the Central African Republic 15–0 on aggregate in the second-round Olympic qualifiers, ending CAR’s bid to reach the next round. CEMAC Currency: Five older series of CFA franc coins lose legal tender status across the regional bloc on Nov. 1. Holders can exchange them until Oct. 31, 2027. Security: The U.S. has included CAR on its list of countries implicated in child soldier recruitment or use, potentially exposing some military assistance and sales to restrictions. Poverty: A UN index lists CAR among five countries where multidimensional poverty increased during the latest assessment periods.

Fuel Costs: Central African unions and civil society groups are urging the government to reverse a fuel-price increase, warning it will push up transport and food costs. A nationwide shutdown was called for October 12. Trafficking Cases: Three Mozambicans trafficked in the Central African Republic have been safely repatriated, Mozambique says. They were among 14 people; four remain missing. Life in Bangui: A transgender Cuban deported from the United States says she is hiding her identity in Bangui and cannot work without documents. She hopes to seek asylum elsewhere. Poverty: A new UN index lists the Central African Republic among five countries where multidimensional poverty increased during their latest assessment periods. Security: The CAR is among 14 countries on a US child-soldier list that could bring restrictions on some military assistance, subject to exemptions or a waiver.

Regional Security: Central African Republic officers are among personnel from 12 countries training in Abuja this week to identify and trace illicit small arms, amid warnings that cross-border weapons fuel violence. Poverty: The 2026 UN multidimensional poverty report lists CAR among five countries where deprivation worsened in the latest measurement periods; it gives no new CAR figure. Currency: Five older CFA franc coin series lose legal-tender status across CEMAC, including CAR, on November 1. They can be exchanged through October 31, 2027. Deportations: A transgender woman deported by the United States to CAR says she is hiding for safety, spotlighting the risks faced by migrants sent to countries where they have no ties. US Military Aid: Washington’s 2026 report lists CAR among countries accused of recruiting or using child soldiers; the designation could trigger restrictions on some US military assistance unless waived. Women’s Football: Algeria beat CAR 8-0 in the first leg of their 2028 Olympic qualifying tie. The return match is scheduled for Tuesday.

Women’s Football: The Central African Republic lost 8-0 to Algeria in the first leg of their Olympic qualifying tie. The return match is set for Tuesday in Algiers. Poverty: A new UNDP report lists CAR among five countries where multidimensional poverty has risen, measuring deprivation in areas such as health, education and access to basic services. Child Protection: The US named CAR among 14 countries accused of recruiting or using child soldiers, a designation that can trigger restrictions on military assistance. Deportations: A transgender woman deported by the US to CAR is reportedly in hiding, while other deported migrants face uncertainty in the country. Regional Links: Chadian carrier Royal Airways has launched a Douala–Bangui route, aiming to improve travel and trade connections. Mining: Russia and CAR agreed on a plan to map mineral resources and prepare areas for possible investment, alongside proposals for a geological lab and mining school.

Women’s Football: Algeria routed the Central African Republic 8-0 in the first leg of their Olympic qualifier in Algiers. The return match is set for October 13. Deportees in Limbo: A transgender woman deported from the US to CAR says she is hiding her identity and living in fear. Human Rights Watch says US third-country deportations put migrants at risk; CAR is among the countries receiving them. Mining Ties: Russia and CAR agreed on more than 30 measures to expand geological exploration and prepare mineral-rich areas for potential investment. The plan includes training and technology, but no new extraction deals. Regional Links: Chadian carrier Royal Airways has launched a Douala–Bangui route, aiming to improve travel and trade connections. CEMAC Currency: Older CFA franc coins will lose legal-tender status across the region, including CAR, on November 1; holders will have a year to exchange them. Child Protection: CAR is among countries named on the US list of governments recruiting or using child soldiers, a designation that could trigger restrictions on military assistance.

Olympic Qualifiers: The Central African Republic women’s team lost 8-0 to Algeria in the first leg of their 2028 Olympic qualifying tie. The return match is Tuesday in Algiers. Deportation Concerns: Cuban transgender woman Daniela Fuentes says she is hiding her identity after the US deported her to the Central African Republic, where she is housed in a government complex set aside for men. Mining and Russia: Bangui and Moscow agreed on more than 30 measures to map mineral resources and prepare for possible investment, including plans for a geological laboratory and mining school; no new extraction deals were announced. Regional Links: Chad’s Royal Airways has launched a Douala–Bangui flight, aiming to boost travel and trade across the region. CEMAC Currency: Five older CFA franc coin series will lose legal-tender status across the six-member bloc on November 1, with a one-year exchange period planned.

Olympic Qualifiers: Algeria’s women beat the Central African Republic 8-0 in the first leg of their LA 2028 qualifying tie. The return match is set for October 13. Deportation Concerns: Daniela Fuentes, a transgender woman deported from the U.S. to the CAR, says she is living in fear and hiding her identity. Russia and Resources: A Russia-CAR plan sets out more than 30 steps for mineral exploration and mining investment, but announces no new extraction contracts. Regional Links: Chadian carrier Royal Airways has launched a Douala–Bangui route; a separate World Bank-backed corridor program includes road upgrades in Cameroon and the CAR. Currency: Five older CFA coin series will lose legal tender status across CEMAC on November 1, with a one-year exchange period planned. Sangha Expedition: British adventurer Ash Dykes has begun a 700-kilometre kayak journey from Nola toward the Republic of the Congo.

Women’s Football: Algeria beat the Central African Republic 8-0 in the first leg of their Los Angeles 2028 Olympic qualifier. The return match is set for October 13 in Algiers. Regional Ties: Royal Airways has opened a Douala–Bangui route, adding a new air link for passengers and trade. A World Bank-backed corridor programme also sets aside $90 million for CAR, including road rehabilitation between Baoro and Bossemptélé. Rights: A Cuban transgender woman deported to CAR by the United States says she is hiding her identity and fears for her safety. Mining: CAR and Russia agreed on a plan to map mineral resources and prepare areas for possible investment; no new extraction contracts were announced. Currency: Old CFA franc coins will lose legal tender status across CEMAC, including CAR, on November 1, with a one-year exchange period planned. US Visas: Washington’s restrictions include a full suspension of visa issuance to Central African citizens.

Deportations: A transgender Cuban woman deported by the United States to the Central African Republic says she is hiding her identity and living in fear. Human Rights Watch says more than 500 migrants have been sent to African countries where they are not citizens, including the CAR, and alleges some faced detention or risk of abuse. Regional Trade: Chadian carrier Royal Airways has launched a Douala–Bangui route, adding air links intended to support trade. Cameroon has also opened a tender to rebuild 167 kilometres of the Douala–Yaoundé corridor, a key route for CAR’s commerce. Money: Five older CFA franc coin series lose legal-tender status across CEMAC, including the CAR, on November 1. Holders will have a one-year exchange period, though arrangements are still pending. Russia Ties: Bangui and Moscow agreed on a plan to map mineral resources and prepare areas for possible investment, alongside plans for a geological laboratory and mining school. Justice: The ICC’s judgment in the case of former Seleka figure Mahamat Said dismissed several war-crime charges, while confirming a non-international armed conflict in the CAR from late 2012 to March 2013.

Deportations: A transgender Cuban woman sent by the U.S. to the Central African Republic says she is hiding her identity and fears for her safety. Human Rights Watch says third-country deportations violate international law; the U.S. disputes the charge. CEMAC Currency: Older CFA franc coins will lose legal-tender status across the region, including CAR, on November 1. Holders will have a one-year exchange period, though arrangements are still pending. Trade Corridor: Cameroon has cleared a $407 million World Bank loan for road upgrades on the Douala–Bangui corridor, which carries more than 80% of CAR’s foreign trade. Football: CAR’s women face Algeria in Olympic qualifying, with the return match scheduled for October 13. Justice: An ICC judgment on former Seleka commander Mahamat Said dismissed several torture-related charges but found that a non-international armed conflict existed in CAR from late 2012 until the Seleka takeover of Bangui in March 2013.

Deportations: Human Rights Watch says US transfers of migrants to African countries where they are not citizens violate international law. Daniela Fuentes, a Cuban transgender woman deported to the Central African Republic in August, says she is hiding her identity and fears for her safety. Trade Corridor: Cameroon’s president has authorized a $407 million World Bank loan for the Douala–Bangui corridor, which carries more than 80% of CAR’s foreign trade. The wider program also allocates $90 million to CAR, with the Baoro–Bossemptélé road section among the rehabilitation priorities. Women’s Football: CAR’s national team is set to face Algeria in Olympic qualifying matches on October 9 and 13 in Algiers. Public Health: A UN-backed report says at least 251 tonnes of illicit medicines were seized across six Central African countries, including CAR, from 2020 to 2025, warning that unsafe drugs can cause treatment failures and avoidable deaths. Peacebuilding: Bangui’s coadjutor archbishop, Joseph Samedi, has urged dialogue and unity, saying the Church can help advance peace and national cohesion.

Deportations: Human Rights Watch says the US has sent more than 500 migrants to African countries where they are not citizens, including the Central African Republic, and that the policy violates international law. Daniela Fuentes, a transgender woman deported to Bangui, says she now hides her identity and rarely leaves her compound. Trade Links: Cameroon has cleared the way to sign a $407 million World Bank loan for the Douala–Bangui corridor. The wider programme allocates $90 million to the CAR, including rehabilitation of a priority road section linking Bangui to the Cameroonian border. Women’s Football: The national team is preparing to face Algeria on October 9 and 13 in the second round of qualifiers for the 2028 Olympic Games. Peace Efforts: Bangui’s Coadjutor Archbishop Joseph Samedi is urging dialogue, unity and renewed efforts for peace and national cohesion. Public Health: A UN report says at least 251 tonnes of illicit medical products were seized across six Central African countries, including the CAR, between 2020 and 2025, warning that unsafe and diverted medicines can cause treatment failures and avoidable deaths.