CAR is interested in deployment of Russian military base – Ambassador
30 May, 2023 Russian military in the CAR. December 2020 The Central African Republic is interested in deploying a Russian military base on its territory.
On May 29, Leon Dodon-Punagaza, Ambassador of the CAR to the Russian Federation, stated this in an interview with the Russian newspaper Izvestia. The African country is also interested in continuing military and technical cooperation with the Russian Federation. "We [CAR - Ed.] are interested in cooperation with Russia.
Now we need a Russian military base where five to ten thousand soldiers could be deployed. At the same time, they could be involved in other countries if necessary. We asked for it.
When [Chairman of the CAR's parliament Simplice] Sarandji came to the Russian Federation, he reiterated that we need it," Dodon-Punagaza said.
BRDM-2 from Russia for the Central African Republic. October 2020. Photo credits: Russian media/CAR
The Ambassador clarified that the country still faces threats from paramilitary groups that have been mining diamonds for many years and have become rich.
"Now they are in Chad and Sudan, near the border with the CAR, and they are gathering there and attacking the population. While our [CAR, - Ed.] troops would be getting to a specific point, they would mostly have time to escape," Dodon-Punagaza emphasized. He added that the refugees from Sudan include people with weapons, which also creates an additional danger.
A Russian mercenary from Wagner PMC in the Central African Republic (CAR).
Autumn 2022, CAR. Photo credits: Russian media
Also, according to him, the alleged presence of Russian "military instructors" in the country increased the combat effectiveness of the local army. However, the Ambassador noted that this causes dissatisfaction among some countries.
In addition, the representative of the CAR emphasized that the military and technical cooperation between the countries should continue.
A Russian mercenary from Wagner PMC in the Central African Republic (CAR). Autumn 2022. CAR.
Photo credits: Russian media
In March, the media reported that Wagner PMC militants could be involved in the murder of nine Chinese nationals in the Central African Republic. Gunmen had stormed the Chinese-run Chimbolo gold mining facility. As a result of the shooting, people died.
The rebel coalition initially blamed for the attack issued a statement denying their involvement.
They also accused the Wagner PMC mercenaries of the attack.
The rebel representatives claim that Russian mercenaries planned the attack "to frighten the Chinese who were in the country before the Russians arrived in this part of the country".