Central African Republic: on videos, Faca soldiers declare themselves ready to fight in Ukraine
Members of the Central African Armed Forces on the road between Boali and Bangui, January 10, 2020. (illustration image) © ©AFP - FLORENT VERGNES
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2 mins
“
We are ready to go to Ukraine to help our Russian brothers.
On social networks, soldiers in Central African army uniforms affirm their support for the Russian army and say they are ready to fight in Ukraine.
The authorities in Bangui have so far not reacted.
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With our correspondent in Bangui,
Carol Valade
Broadcast in a coordinated manner, in particular on Russian Telegram channels since the evening of Thursday March 10, these videos depict armed men posing as Faca, some of whom are filmed from the Berengo military training camp, on the outskirts. from Bangui.
We clearly recognize, on one of these videos, the statue of Emperor Bokassa which sits in the middle of the Berengo camp, where Faca are trained by the Russians.
Officially, the latter are "
instructors
" sent by Moscow.
But according to the UN, these are "
mercenaries from the Wagner group
" accused of serious abuses against civilians.
“
We are here to help Russia, to fight the putschists and to fight Ukraine.
So we are ready, if Russia asks us, to go to Ukraine, we will go there, with our determination.
It is not Europe or the NATO countries that are going to intimidate us.
We are ready to fight, because we too, Russia helped us to fight in this country.
We had the victory.
So we're going to help Russia to fight better in Ukraine and chase the bandits out of Ukraine.
»
Several pro-Russian rallies
have taken place in recent weeks in Bangui, notably in the presence of the sixth territorial infantry battalion.
Regularly, Faca are photographed wearing “Wagner” badges, a skull and crossbones in the heart of a target.
“
We African soldiers are ready to go to our Russian brothers to support them.
My Russian brothers, hold on!
We Africans are coming soon.
Courage courage.
»
In December, the European Union decided to suspend its military training in CAR.
Because according to Brussels, the majority of its recruits today operate under the control of the Wagner company.
According to several sources, these videos do not serve as an official statement, but the Central African Ministry of Defense, the general staff, the government and the presidency have not yet communicated on these videos, despite requests from RFI.
At the United Nations General Assembly last week, the Central African Republic abstained from voting on the resolution condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
But the government has not made its official position known on the matter.
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