The government of the Central African Republic has established a special commission to examine administrative diplomas, an initiative formally launched by the Minister of State for Justice, Arnaud Djoubaye Abazène. This development was reported in an article published on September 9, 2026. The establishment of this commission was officially enacted through Arrêté n°139, a government decree that outlines its mandate and operational framework. The commission operates under the direct authority of the Prosecutor General near the Court of Appeal of Bangui, showing the legal and judicial backing for its activities. This extensive operation is presented by authorities as a "traque aux faux diplômes," or a hunt for fake diplomas, specifically targeting public service employees across Centrafrique. The stated objective is to ensure the integrity of qualifications within the civil service.
Targeting Loyalists and Creating Panic
However, the article alleges that the individuals primarily targeted by this diploma verification initiative are militants of the ruling party. These individuals were reportedly integrated into the public service as rewards for their loyalty and support to the current administration. This suggests a potential political dimension to the ongoing checks, moving beyond a simple administrative audit. The broad scope of the operation, affecting numerous public sector employees, has raised concerns about its underlying motives.
The article further suggests that a significant aim of the operation is to create a climate of widespread panic among public sector employees. This strategy, it claims, is intended to encourage agents with "fragile files" – those whose credentials may not withstand rigorous scrutiny – to voluntarily abandon their posts. Should employees vacate their positions under such circumstances, the government could then proceed with radiation for abandonment of post. This administrative process would effectively remove them from the public service without directly addressing the validity of their diplomas through a formal, potentially lengthy, legal process. This approach, according to the article, allows for a rapid reduction in workforce numbers and the removal of certain personnel without direct dismissal for fraudulent credentials.
Selective Justice and Political Betrayal
The article asserts that the application of the justice system in the ongoing diploma verification operation is highly selective. It claims the initiative conspicuously spares what it describes as "véritables commanditaires," or real masterminds, who are allegedly behind the proliferation of fraudulent diplomas within the public service. These alleged orchestrators, who may have facilitated or profited from the issuance of fake credentials, appear to be largely avoiding scrutiny and accountability.
Instead, the focus appears to be disproportionately on lower-level employees, who are reportedly being targeted and systematically removed from their positions. This approach, according to the article, suggests a significant discrepancy in how accountability is being applied, with those who may have orchestrated the issuance of fake credentials largely avoiding any repercussions. The alleged selectivity raises profound questions about the true objectives of the verification process, implying that it might be more about political maneuvering than about full administrative reform or upholding justice. This perceived bias could undermine public trust in the government's stated intentions.
Broader Implications for Stability
The article warns that treating supporters, particularly those who have been loyal to the regime, as common criminals could sow deep seeds of social and political anger against the administration. This approach, it suggests, carries potential broader implications for the stability of the government and the overall political landscape of the Central African Republic. The alleged targeting of individuals who were previously rewarded for their loyalty could lead to widespread disaffection and resentment among the very base intended to support the current administration. Such a development could exacerbate existing tensions within the country's political sphere, potentially leading to unforeseen consequences for national cohesion and governance. The long-term effects of alienating a significant segment of the public service and the ruling party's base could prove detrimental to the government's authority and its ability to maintain order.
