Africa-Press. The Commission of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) has announced the temporary suspension of its activities due to a severe financial crisis caused by an acute shortage of resources, placing the regional institution before unprecedented challenges that threaten its very survival.
An internal memo points to a “continuous deterioration of the Commission’s financial situation,” which has reached a critical level endangering the institution itself. According to the Commission, the suspension decision aims to urgently reduce expenditures, including halting administrative meetings and non-essential official missions planned under the 2026 budget. The Commission’s president, Baltazar Engonga, stated that the measure falls within austerity policies, describing it as a necessary internal administrative step at this critical stage.
CEMAC had already taken a series of measures in Brazzaville to avert a “major shock” that could disrupt its operations, as part of efforts to contain the financial downturn.
Economist Djimadoum Mandikor, a former senior official at the Bank of Central African States (BEAC), said the situation was not surprising, noting that some institutional officials have not received their salaries for two months. He added that the Commission’s vice-president undertook a tour of four countries to raise funds, but the effort failed to secure the necessary liquidity, leaving the Commission in an “extremely difficult situation.”
The roots of the financial crisis lie in shortcomings in the collection of the community integration tax, the main source of CEMAC’s revenues. Mandikor explained that the import tax “is not paid automatically,” as member states retain the proceeds instead of transferring them to the Commission, reflecting liquidity challenges within each country.
The Commission is urging member states to establish an independent mechanism for collecting this tax as a dedicated resource separate from national budgets. So far, Gabon is the only country to have implemented such a mechanism, transferring £10.5 billion in 2025, while no recent financial data are available for the other states. Estimates suggest that the Commission collected less than half of the integration tax due last year.
As the crisis persists, the Commission will maintain a temporary suspension of several activities, which experts expect will delay regional infrastructure projects, hinder the free movement of people, and slow the pace of economic integration in Central Africa.
However, the Commission will continue to carry out activities classified as “highly strategic,” particularly those related to monetary sovereignty and the international commitments of member states.
The Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) aims to promote peace and harmonious development among its member states through the establishment of an economic and monetary union. Its members include Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of Congo.
