Indonesian Ambassador Presents Credentials to Central African President

Indonesian Ambassador to Cameroon and the Central African Republic, Agung Cahaya Sumirat, presented his credentials to Central African President Faustin-Archange Touadéra at the Presidential Palace in Bangui on 17 July 2026, marking the start of his tenure. After receiving the credentials, President Touadéra expressed appreciation for Indonesia’s development progress and his hope that bilateral relations and cooperation between the two nations would continue to strengthen. The President also affirmed the Central African Republic’s desire to open the widest possible partnerships with various countries to support national development. Ambassador Agung conveyed warm greetings from Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and highlighted the spirit of the Asian-African Conference as a foundation for Indonesia-Africa solidarity and cooperation. He also reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to supporting peace and stability in the Central African Republic through the contributions of the Indonesian Armed Forces Engineer Company and Police Unit serving in MINUSCA, the UN peacekeeping mission. During his working visit to Bangui, the Ambassador met with MINUSCA Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mohamed Ag Ayoya, who praised the professionalism and vital role of the over 300 Indonesian personnel in supporting peace, stability, and community security. The Ambassador subsequently visited the Indonesian contingent camps, where he was welcomed with a military honour ceremony and a traditional ‘kuda lumping’ dance. The commanders briefed him on their tasks and achievements, showcasing the vehicles, weaponry, and equipment used in their duties. ‘I am very pleased because the Indonesian contingents are active in building good relations with the local community through various social, health, education, and infrastructure development activities,’ said Ambassador Agung. He noted his amazement at hearing Indonesian vocabulary spoken in Bangui’s traditional market, which vendors said they learned from interactions with the Indonesian contingent, calling it a success in winning the hearts and minds of the local population. The Central African Republic, a nation in the heart of Africa with a population of around 5.5 million, is rich in gold and diamond resources but has been plagued by civil war since 2013. MINUSCA was established by UN Security Council Resolution 2149 (2014) to protect civilians, support the peace process, and assist the government in performing state functions. In addition to the Indonesian contingent, seven Indonesian migrant workers are recorded as working in the hospitality and mining sectors in the country. Indonesia and the Central African Republic have maintained diplomatic relations since 2016, making this year a significant moment marking a decade of bilateral ties.