Minister, since 2012 a civil war has been smoldering in the Central African Republic between various militias and the government.

Will the UN mission MINUSCA succeed in stabilizing the country?

Franca Wittenbrink

Editor in politics.

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Unfortunately, we have seen little of this so far.

The armed rebel groups fighting the government continue to arm and commit crimes.

In addition, there are apparently links between the armed groups and certain MINUSCA contingents.

Again and again there are deviations from the routes and rules for the supply of these contingents, especially in militia areas such as Bossangoa.

In places like Bambari and Alindao, the withdrawal of 450 Gabonese UN soldiers to secure the area has led the rebels to attack again.

The question arises among the population as to which strategy is behind it.

Does that mean you are accusing MINUSCA of cooperating with the rebel groups?

We want to understand what is going on.

After more than eight years of service, we need an objective report to ensure that the mission's objectives are actually being achieved.

There is information and images that suggest that parts of the UN troops are working with armed groups.

We owe the population answers to this.

The United Nations, in turn, has published several reports denouncing serious human rights violations by mercenaries of the Russian "Wagner Group", which works with your government and is often referred to as "Putin's shadow army".

This is a disinformation campaign to harm our government.

There is no connection between the Central African Republic and a private group called Wagner.

It is true that cases of human rights violations have been reported, and given the importance of the issue, we have already set up a national commission of inquiry.

But that concerns everyone: the rebel groups, the government soldiers, the UN troops and other foreign forces.

Regardless of which side, those who have committed human rights violations must be held accountable.

But you do not deny that your country is militarily supported by Russia?

I do not deny the presence of Russians in my country. We have Russian trainers who have come to the Central African Republic with the approval of the Security Council. In addition, there has been a Russian embassy in Bangui since 1967, which has never been closed. The United Nations arms embargo means that our army is unable to protect its own people. We pleaded in vain to the European countries to help us, but apart from advisory and training missions there was no response. We then strengthened our cooperation with Russia through an agreement on security cooperation between the Central African and Russian Defense Ministries. But again: it has nothing to do with a group of Wagner.

Your French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian sees it differently. Last week he expressed concern that the Wagner group was in the process of "replacing" state power in the Central African Republic.

This statement aims to infantilize my country and put it in a bad light. Le Drian was basically saying we were not able to run the Central African Republic. That made me indignant, because of course we can. He probably wanted to say that there are only uneducated people in my country. But he should know that we don't just sit around and do or sign what others tell us. Since we tried to restore constitutional order and state power in our country, such disinformation campaigns have increased enormously. I can not comprehend that. To ensure security in the Central African Republic, we need support - in the form of cooperative cooperation without contempt. Who despises the other,he cannot claim humanity. On the other hand, one gladly accepts the healing help of a friendly country when one is going under and trying to survive. So why should we refuse to support Russia?