CEMAC Head of states.
The Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) is experiencing a period of major financial turmoil.
In an official letter addressed to members of the Commission’s government, President Baltazar Engonga announced the temporary suspension of almost all of the institution’s activities due to a critical deterioration in its cash flow.
According to the document, the financial data regularly presented by the accounting officers at the sessions of the CEMAC Council of Ministers and the meetings of the College of Commissioners reveal a continuous deterioration in the Commission’s budgetary situation. This worrying trend now threatens the normal functioning of the community institutions.
In response to this crisis, the last two sessions of the Council of Ministers recommended opening a direct dialogue with Member States to improve the recovery of EU resources. A circular mission was therefore entrusted to the Vice-President of the Commission to meet with the six countries in the region. However, while four states have already been visited, the expected results have been slow to materialize.
In his memo, the Commission President emphasizes that the current cash flow has become insufficient to support regular operations. This situation has led to an exceptional decision: the suspension of all non-essential missions and activities, pending improved collection of the Community Integration Tax (CIT), the CEMAC’s main source of funding.
Only operations deemed highly strategic will continue to be authorized. This emergency measure illustrates the extent of the financial strain facing the sub-regional organization and reignites the debate on budgetary discipline and financial solidarity among member states.
For observers, this episode highlights the structural weaknesses of the community financing mechanism. In the short term, the challenge is clear: to avoid institutional paralysis and restore the operational capacity of the Commission, a pillar of regional integration in Central Africa.
CEMAC suspends most Commission activities amid severe cash crisis
The Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) is facing a serious financial strain. In an official communication to members of the Commission government, President Baltazar Engonga announced the provisional suspension of most institutional activities due to a critical deterioration in treasury conditions.
Financial reports regularly presented by accounting officials during UEAC ministerial sessions and Commission meetings reveal a steady decline in the institution’s financial position. According to the presidency, the situation now threatens the normal functioning of community bodies.
Recent ministerial sessions had instructed the Commission to open direct dialogue with member states to improve revenue collection. A regional mission led by the vice-president has already visited four of the six member countries, but tangible results have yet to materialize.
With treasury levels considered dangerously low, the Commission has opted for an emergency freeze on non-essential missions while awaiting improved collection of the Community Integration Tax (TCI), a key funding pillar.
Only highly strategic operations will continue. Analysts say the move highlights structural vulnerabilities in CEMAC’s financing model and underscores the urgency of coordinated fiscal commitment among member states to prevent institutional paralysis
