Sentul: United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres said the peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic is at a critical juncture in strengthening stability and ensuring the peace process succeeds.
This message was conveyed to the Indonesian peacekeeping personnel who will be deployed to the country.
Speaking at the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Peacekeeping Center of Defense Force (PMPP) in Sentul, Bogor, West Java, on Monday, October 19, 2026, Guterres emphasized that the mission’s success is vital to ensuring that state institutions can function throughout the entire territory of the Central African Republic.
“Your mission will be crucial in ensuring that we can fully realize stability in the Central African Republic,” Guterres said in a press release.
He explained that the mission also aims to encourage remaining armed groups to integrate into the peace process gradually. At the same time, stability must be established so the country can transition into a development phase, amid the extreme poverty and suffering its population has endured. An Unfinished Success Story Guterres said he has worked with the Central African Republic for 20 years—first as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, then as UN Secretary-General.
He pointed out that the nation is among the poorest in the world and, until recently, had almost no government presence across most of its territory.
Although various armed groups remain, Guterres noted that most have reached agreements with the government and begun surrendering their weapons.
For this reason, he described the Central African Republic as a success story that is still a work in progress.
“Therefore, the Central African Republic is a success story that still requires further refinement,” he said.
Guterres emphasized that peacekeeping forces play a crucial role in consolidating the gains already achieved and ensuring that this success leads to long-term stability.
He expressed hope that state institutions would function across the country, allowing the government to exercise control over its territory and guarantee peace. Guterres Appreciates the Contribution of Indonesian Forces Guterres noted that successfully executing the mission could create opportunities for the UN to scale down its presence in the Central African Republic gradually.
He also mentioned that Indonesian personnel would join the Portuguese peacekeeping contingent currently serving in the country.
Citing accounts from Portuguese personnel, Guterres said the people of the Central African Republic hold the UN peacekeeping forces in high regard.
He further expressed his hope that the Indonesian personnel would carry out their duties effectively and represent Indonesia well in the eyes of the local population.
“I am very confident that the people of the Central African Republic will feel a profound sense of gratitude—not only toward the UN peacekeeping operation, but also toward the people of Indonesia, whom you represent with such courage and valor,” Guterres said.
UN Secretary-General’s Message to Indonesian Peacekeepers Bound for the Central African Republic
