The Agence centrafricaine pour la Formation professionnelle et l’Emploi (ACFPE) is facing a severe financial crisis, as revealed by a recent internal circular. The document, which details the agency's current state, acknowledges a critical "absence of available liquidity." This disclosure notes significant financial difficulties within the ACFPE, an organization responsible for professional training and employment in Centrafrique. The circular comes amid broader allegations of mismanagement and financial misconduct impacting the agency, which has prompted immediate and drastic measures to address its financial solvency.
Circular Details Austerity Measures
A circular, numbered 464 and titled 'Urgent reduction of non-essential expenses', was signed on April 17, 2026, by Henri Koulayom, the President of the Board of Administration. This document outlines immediate austerity measures in response to the agency's dire financial state. The circular specifically mandates the suspension of new recruitment activities within the Agence centrafricaine pour la Formation professionnelle et l’Emploi (ACFPE) and halts several investment projects. These actions reflect an urgent attempt to stem the flow of expenditures and stabilize the agency's finances.
The circular specifies that only three distinct categories of expenses will be maintained by the ACFPE. These include the payment of salaries and associated staff charges, which are considered essential operational costs for the agency's continued functioning. Additionally, the document permits strictly limited allocations for fuel, designated solely for indispensable operational needs of the agency, indicating a tight control over even basic logistical expenses. The third expense category allowed to continue is the construction of the R+1 building, which the circular explicitly identifies as a "strategic investment" for the organization's future. These measures indicate a highly focused approach to managing the agency's finances amidst its profound liquidity challenges, prioritizing only the most critical outlays. The immediate suspension of recruitment and certain investments, as stipulated in the circular, shows the severity of the financial pressures confronting the ACFPE.
Allegations of Organized Pillaging
A source close to the Agence centrafricaine pour la Formation professionnelle et l’Emploi (ACFPE) stated that the current financial situation was entirely predictable, asserting that agents had previously "informed and denounced an organized pillaging within the structure." Allegations of significant financial misconduct have centered on the appointment of Renée Bimbo as interim director general by the Minister of Labour, Annie-Michelle Mwanga. This appointment, according to the source, "reportedly opened the door to massive diversions of service vehicles and agency funds," suggesting a direct link between leadership changes and the alleged financial irregularities. The source's claims highlight a pattern of alleged malfeasance that predates the current crisis and was reportedly communicated to relevant authorities without adequate response.
A substantial portion of the alleged pillaging within the ACFPE reportedly occurs through what are described as 'fake training' sessions. One such example cited is a training program on 'change of mentality'. This specific program was allegedly provided by the Minister's sister and daughter, who traveled from France to conduct it, raising questions about nepotism and the legitimacy of the training itself. The 'change of mentality' training alone is reported to have consumed "several million CFA francs in a single week, over several years," according to the source, indicating a significant and sustained drain on the agency's financial resources. Such activities, if true, would contribute directly to the severe financial distress now acknowledged by the ACFPE's leadership. The persistent nature and substantial cost of these alleged 'fake training' sessions point to a systemic issue of financial mismanagement and potential corruption within the agency.
Context and Unanswered Questions
The Agence centrafricaine pour la Formation professionnelle et l’Emploi (ACFPE) circular confirms long-standing claims made by Corbeau News Centrafrique (CNC) that the agency is financially depleted due to alleged pillaging. CNC has consistently reported on financial mismanagement within the ACFPE, and the internal document outlining austerity measures appears to corroborate these earlier concerns regarding the agency's solvency. The confirmation from an official internal document lends significant weight to the media's prior investigations and warnings.
The circular reportedly makes no mention of health expenses, which are guaranteed for employees by the establishment's collective agreement. This omission is particularly concerning as it raises questions about the agency's commitment to existing contractual obligations and employee welfare amidst its severe financial crisis. The absence of this key category of expenditure from the list of maintained costs could indicate a potential breach of employee agreements and further exacerbate the challenges faced by ACFPE staff.
The document also does not explain how the agency arrived at its current state of financial depletion, nor does it identify any individuals responsible for the alleged mismanagement or financial misconduct. This lack of accountability in the circular leaves key questions unanswered regarding the root causes of the agency's severe liquidity issues and who might be held responsible for the reported "organized pillaging." The document's silence on these critical aspects further fuels concerns about transparency and governance within the Agence centrafricaine pour la Formation professionnelle et l’Emploi.
