In the Central African Republic, peace is being forged not only through political negotiations but also through infrastructure work led by construction machinery.
Operating heavy excavators and bulldozers, MINUSCA’s Cambodian military engineering battalion—exemplified by peacekeepers Lieutenant-Colonel Yann Makar and Captain Pisey PO—highlights a vital dimension of peacekeeping: bridging communities and ending rural isolation. Years of crumbling transport routes have previously cut large regions off from essential services, leaving isolated populations vulnerable to insecurity and hardship.
The engineering battalion’s intervention along the 120-kilometre Grimari-Sibut road, which was previously impassable during the rainy season, has radically transformed daily life. Similar rehabilitation efforts on the Ippy-Bambari route successfully unblocked humanitarian aid and fuel convoys that had been stranded for three weeks. For local residents, the restoration of these roads has revived access to healthcare, enabled farmers to return to markets safely, and allowed children to travel to school without peril. These construction sites have also fostered spontaneous partnerships, with villagers actively assisting peacekeepers to build deep-rooted trust and solidarity on the ground. By centering their mission around local human needs, these peacekeepers demonstrate that repairing roads and bridges is much more than a technical task—it establishes the practical foundation for lasting, inclusive peace in the Central African Republic.
TE/Sf/lb/abj/APA