US Deportations to CAR: The Trump administration has deported at least one Iranian pro-democracy activist to the Central African Republic, with lawyers warning the transfer is “extremely dangerous” for people who had legal protection in the US, including women facing persecution or torture if returned to Iran; reports say a first flight carried around two dozen migrants from places including Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey and Georgia, landing in Bangui after a stop in Ghana, while authorities have kept details scarce and civil society groups accuse the government of secrecy. Humanitarian Risk in Bangui: The US State Department’s “do not travel” warning for CAR highlights risks of violence, kidnapping and terrorism, yet deportees are reportedly housed temporarily in Bangui with unclear nationalities and legal status, raising fears they could be pushed back to their original countries. Illicit Gold Trade Link: A new investigation says Dubai has become a key destination for CAR conflict-linked gold, with Russia’s Africa Corps (linked to Wagner) identified as a major beneficiary, underscoring how armed networks profit from CAR’s resources. Regional Economy Watch: Cocoa prices fell sharply in early 2026, dragging down CEMAC agricultural export earnings, with the Central African Republic included in the affected export basket.