Central African Republic and Cameroon Resume Refugee Repatriation

On 26 July 2026 the governments of the Central African Republic (CAR) and Cameroon announced the restart of a voluntary repatriation programme for Central African refugees held in Cameroon. The tripartite commission of Cameroon, CAR and the UNHCR met in Yaoundé from 12‑14 July and confirmed that nearly 28,000 refugees have already returned since the scheme began in 2019, with an additional 10‑20 000 expected to return later in 2026.

Cameroon hosts the largest share of Central African refugees, with about 30 000 expressing a desire to go home. CAR’s minister of humanitarian action, Josiane Lina Bemaka Soui, warned that ongoing security incidents in the Vakaga region and a cholera outbreak make the return process fragile. Cameroon’s territorial‑administration minister, Paul Atanga Nji, said the aim is to complete the departures by the end of 2026. The UNHCR will provide technical and operational support while monitoring the security situation in the CAR to ensure safe, dignified returns.