Russia continues to expand its scope of military influence in the Central African Republic
A Russian personnel carrier parade in Bangui on October 15, 2020. Camille Laffont / AFP
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Since the beginning of its military cooperation with the Central African government of Faustin-Archange Touadéra three years ago, the Russian presence has been increasingly visible: military training, support for the FACA in their deployment in the field, protection of mines and even more. 'to the presidency… A military cooperation with a promising future, according to the latter.
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Official sources go so far as to mention today a workforce of a thousand men deployed in this country, the vast majority of members of the
private military company Wagner
, which belongs to a close friend of Putin.
Yesterday, the Central African president welcomed with great fanfare at Bangui airport a Russian donation: armored vehicles which paraded in the streets of the Central African capital in front of a jubilant crowd mobilized for the occasion.
"
The
military cooperation between the Central African Republic and Russia
is getting higher power
," rejoiced Albert Yaloke Mokpemé, spokesman of the Central Presidency, after attending the parade.
After this first batch of ten tanks received yesterday, ten more are expected in December.
And the two countries will not stop there, always according to our source.
A communication effect?
Russia has promised to install a military mission in Bangui by the end of the year.
Its objective will be to support the reconstruction of the army by helping to set up a military garrison in the west of the country during the same period.
Finally, Russia is committed to welcoming around 100 FACA officers as soon as possible to its military academies.
Russia therefore continues to advance its pawns in this country of the French pre-square, to the chagrin of Paris.
Presidential spokesperson Yaloké Mokpomé wanted to be reassuring.
“
There is room for everyone,
” he said,
explaining that
“
anyone who can help us raise the FACA is welcome
”.
But for one of the main Central African opponents who spoke anonymously so as not to offend the Russians, "it
was a communication operation, a spectacle with electoral goals
," he said, estimating that "
The effectiveness of the Russian contribution remains to be demonstrated, especially as the influence of armed groups continues to increase on the ground
".
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Central African Republic
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