Is Russia directly involved in the Central African crisis? The Central African authorities say they can count on reinforcements sent by “friendly” countries, especially from Russia. But the reality of these reinforcements is the subject of conflicting statements.
With our special correspondent in Bangui, Florence morice
It has been three days since confirming sources testified the arrival of reinforcements from Russiaat Bangui Airport, the Central African capital: men with aircraft and equipment on board. Saturday 19 December at in the middle of a meetingPresident Touadéra welcomed this support without giving further details. But on Monday, a leading Russian diplomat denied having sent “troops”, in accordance with UN demands, causing problems. That is also what made the spokesman for the Central African government, Ange Maxime Kazagui, want to clarify the situation this morning.
“Our country in its sovereignty has officially written to governments asking for their help. Not to have weapons, not to fight but to secure the process. And these countries, including the Russian Federation, the Republic of Rwanda and perhaps many more, have responded positively. I know that my country has followed all the necessary formulas. Yesterday I heard a statement from the French authorities insisting on the need to do everything possible to go to the polls so that the fact of not going there opens the way for all adventures. I believe that our country is doing the right thing, says Ange Maxime Kazagui.
Partial UN embargo
So how do you explain these sometimes contradictory statements? It should be remembered that the issue is sensitive. The Central African Republic is still under a partial embargo. The UN resolution stipulates that the Sanctions Committee must be seized before military reinforcements are sent, which according to our information would not have been done upstream this time and could have explained the Russian denial.
But last night, in an interview with Senegalese television, the head of Minusca, Mankeur Ndaiaye, confirmed that he had indeed been informed. “It’s true, I just came from a meeting with the Russian ambassador who effectively confirmed that it followed a request from the Central African government that Russia deploy funds to support the Central African armies, and Rwanda has done the same with hundreds of elements such as arriving, he said.
According to our information, it has happened that Russia has in the meantime tried to regulate the situation and that measures were taken on Monday with the UN. The request refers to the dispatch of military instructors. Russia is regularly accused of sending paramilitary forces, under the protection of this denomination, which Moscow has always denied. The Central African authorities are surprised that the media is systematically focusing on Russian aid.
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