Brazzaville, June 10, 2026 – The heart of sub-regional integration in Central Africa is currently beating to the rhythm of the preparatory work of the Inter-State Committee, which opened this Wednesday in the Congolese capital. This strategic meeting is a key step ahead of the 45th Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers of the Economic Union of Central Africa (UEAC), scheduled for June 13, 2026.
In an atmosphere marked by solemnity, the opening ceremony featured the performance of the CEMAC anthem, a strong symbol of unity and shared destiny among member states of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), before giving way to two key speeches that set the tone for the proceedings.
A difficult international context and a call for regional solidarity
Speaking on behalf of H.E. Baltasar ENGONGO EDJO’O, Vice-President of the CEMAC Commission, Mr. Charles ASSAMBA ONGODO expressed gratitude to the Congolese authorities, in particular to the President of the Republic of the Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso, for the warm welcome and excellent arrangements made in Brazzaville.
In his address, he outlined a concerning international environment marked by geopolitical tensions and the ongoing effects of global crises, particularly in Ukraine and the Middle East. According to him, these disruptions are increasing the vulnerability of regional economies, which are facing market volatility and security challenges.
In response, he urged member states to strengthen “unity, solidarity, resilience, and collective ambition” in order to effectively address the population’s expectations in terms of employment, infrastructure, and inclusive growth.
He also praised ongoing structural reforms within the Community, including the institutional transformation of the Commission, the gradual relocation of institutions to Bangui, the shift to program-based budgeting, and the implementation of PREF-CEMAC II.
However, he strongly emphasized the critical issue of the Community’s financial sustainability, highlighting the heavy dependence of the Community budget on the Community Integration Tax (TCI), whose collection remains insufficient. This situation, he noted, is causing cash flow tensions and persistent salary arrears within the institutions since December 2025.
He called for the strict implementation of the Additional Act of February 25, 2016, relating to the recovery of TCI revenues, in order to ensure the financial stability of CEMAC and the continuity of its operations.
The Inter-State Committee’s roadmap presented by its Chair
Following him, the Chair of the Inter-State Committee, Mr. Eric MBENDE, officially opened the proceedings. He reminded participants of the major responsibility placed on experts in preparing the decisions of the upcoming Council of Ministers.
He welcomed the relevance of the agenda items, which cover key areas such as financial governance, sectoral policies (tourism, telecommunications, mining policy, aviation safety, etc.), as well as the modernization of national and regional statistical systems.
Mr. MBENDE urged delegates and senior officials to approach these complex issues with rigor, insight, and pragmatism in order to produce strong and realistic recommendations that will inform and facilitate the decisions of the UEAC Council of Ministers on June 13.
A decisive step for regional integration
With a dense agenda and high-stakes discussions, the Inter-State Committee’s work continues in Brazzaville under the banner of constructive dialogue and a strong commitment to advancing sub-regional integration.
