In the Central African Republic, the counter-offensive led by the Central African Allied Forces (Faca) with its bilateral Russian ally has made it possible to retake a majority of the country’s major cities. But this counter-offensive is accompanied by many issues – especially the atrocities committed against civilian populations.
Several incidents, including one at the border with Chad, strained relations with neighbor Ndjamena. Diplomatic relations that have also been strained with France. Sylvie Baipo-Temon, the Central African Foreign Minister, is our guest. She returns to these issues with Charlotte Cosset.
RFI: There was a quarrel with your Chadian neighbor at the end of May, you went to Ndjamena and you met the interim president there. What came out of your exchange?
Sylvie Baipo-Temon: The message that emerges is that the two presidents have the firm will to work together and to find a solution to these tensions that abound at the common border.
Bangui regularly condemns Chad’s support for the uprising. Is it a topic you touched on?
No, there was indeed a message attached to this event, but in an implicit way, because there are often interpretations, misunderstandings. I remind you that the borders are really there, but we are just one people. And really, during this meeting that follows a telephone exchange between the two presidents, I was pleased with the words of the President of the Military and Transitional Council, who also repeated the words he had to exchange in Abuja.
The two presidents had met within the framework of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and together they agreed to hold a dialogue, a constructive exchange to find a solution to the crises that plague both the Republic of Chad and the Central African Republic.
Relations with France have also been strained, leading to the suspension of some of its budget support to the Central African Republic. She indicated that she was expecting a gesture from the Central African authorities. Are you ready to reach out?
The hand is outstretched. It is all the more tense, as there are many misunderstandings and interpretations, just like nearby Chad. We have had difficult times. It is important that we communicate together and that we work especially together to improve the state of our cooperation. The Central African Republic is fully aware that the French Republic remains and is a traditional partner and a privileged partner.
France condemns particularly aggressive and degrading campaigns. Are you planning to take action?
You know that measures have been taken and continue to be imposed for sanction. We have on several occasions suggested a communication that is much more appropriate. We must show that we know how to work together and that despite some turbulence we are united.
The personalities involved in this disinformation are known. The report by UN experts points to some of them, such as Didacien Kossimatchi, who is in the president’s entourage.t …
We must sanction what is to be sanctioned. I would also like to say that the Central African Republic is a country that has seen many people express themselves in this phase of crisis. The fact that we are in the company of the government, the company of the presidency does not mean that we share the same information [point de vue, NDLR].
You have people who may not follow this policy of the President of the Republic and the outstretched hand of the government and who go against the grain and undermine all the efforts of the government. You have to stay focused. It is also a desire to entertain us, to take us away from the essentials.
France is a partner in the Central African Republic, but others today also question their investments. Are you worried about interrupting support from other partners?
The Central African Republic has made great efforts, much progress has been made with the support of its partners, it would be unfair to let go now, it is important not to agree with all those who are just playing misinformation, playing hate. Because this is the desired result. The Central African people do not deserve this.
Donors’ issues included the agreement between the Central African Republic and Russia in the customs sector.
It’s about training … In the Central African Republic there is also a real subject for qualification level. When you see the results of the initiatives that have been implemented at customs level, they are final. And the goal, at least for me as far as I am concerned, is to mobilize all partners so that this expertise coincides and creates a positive and effective synergy so that we achieve the common goal of liberating the Central African Republic. I urge donors to support the Central African Republic, not to relax their efforts now.
Many reports have been published in recent weeks about abuses perpetrated on Central African territory by armed groups from the Coalition for Change (CPC) but also by Russian paramilitaries assisting the Central African Army in the counter-offensive. Is the Central African Republic ready to conduct questions on this subject?
The Central African Republic is ready. As soon as she found out about the first report reported, a commission of inquiry was set up. It is still going on and, as the President of the Republic said, proven cases will be sanctioned. We are dealing with a traumatized Central African population. Since its independence, it has only lived from crisis to crisis and we must not be in a repeat of a population that is murdered, raped or otherwise by the very people who come to save it.
But you have to be impartial. There are also complaints of sexual abuse from Minusca. These should also be the subject of this investigation. No matter who the actor is, if any cases are found, they must be sanctioned. When you look at the media, it looks like CPC did nothing. The allies and the Central African forces who in a very patriotic way took over the CPC to protect the essentials, today we have the impression that the very people who secured this sovereign mission to secure the population are the ones – there who still defile the same population. Which is pretty unlikely.
And during this period, CPC did a lot [d’exactions] and in addition, the report states that there have been many more violations without emphasizing CPC. And I believe that the ideal of the struggle we are waging today is that we are all united in eradicating armed groups in the Central African Republic so that the peoples return to a level that is at least correct.
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