The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has announced that it will facilitate the voluntary return of 61,000 Central African refugees currently living in Chad. According to the UNHCR, these refugees have expressed a desire to return to their home country. The decision to repatriate was made possible by an agreement signed in N'Djaména between the governments of Chad and the Central African Republic, and the UNHCR.
The refugees have been living in Chad since the early 2000s, fleeing successive waves of violence and conflict in the Central African Republic. The UNHCR reports that there are currently approximately 147,000 Central African refugees living in Chad, mostly in the southern part of the country. The situation in the Central African Republic has improved in recent years, with progress made in security, peace consolidation, national reconciliation, and political stabilization.
The UNHCR conducted surveys in refugee camps in Chad, which revealed that 61,000 Central African refugees wished to return home in 2025 and 2026. The agreement signed in N'Djaména outlines the practical modalities for the voluntary repatriation of these refugees. The UNHCR ensures that the returns will be carried out on a strictly voluntary basis, in safety and dignity, and in accordance with international law.
The first repatriations are expected to take place before the end of the year. The UNHCR will provide assistance to the refugees to ensure a safe and dignified return. The organization is working closely with the governments of Chad and the Central African Republic to ensure a smooth repatriation process.
Chad hosts over 1.5 million refugees and asylum seekers, mainly from Sudan, the Central African Republic, Nigeria, and Cameroon. The UNHCR is working to provide assistance to these refugees and to facilitate their voluntary return to their home countries when possible.
The situation in the Central African Republic remains fragile, with several rebel groups still active along the borders with Chad, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, the progress made in recent years has encouraged many refugees to consider returning home.
The UNHCR's efforts to facilitate the voluntary return of Central African refugees from Chad are part of a broader strategy to support the repatriation of refugees across the region. The organization will continue to work with governments and other partners to provide assistance to refugees and to promote durable solutions to refugee crises.
Key points
- The UNHCR has announced plans to facilitate the voluntary return of 61,000 Central African refugees currently living in Chad.
- The refugees have been living in Chad since the early 2000s, fleeing successive waves of violence and conflict in the Central African Republic.
- The first repatriations are expected to take place before the end of the year.
