Central African Republic leader visits Moscow for key talks

Faustin-Archange Touadera, President of the Central African Republic (CAR), landed in Moscow on Wednesday to discuss bolstering ties with Russia.

The Kremlin revealed plans for a pivotal meeting between Touadera and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. Talks will center on expanding bilateral cooperation, though specifics remain under wraps.

Russia’s influence in CAR, a former French colony, has grown significantly in recent years, with Moscow deploying military instructors to assist Touadera’s government. These efforts aim to counter persistent rebel factions destabilizing the nation.

The CAR has endured over a decade of civil war, leaving it one of the world’s poorest and most fragile states. Despite challenges, Moscow’s involvement has included training thousands of local troops and deploying mercenaries from the Wagner group since 2018.

In a striking symbol of Russia’s influence, a bronze monument honoring Yevgeny Prigozhin, the late leader of Wagner, was unveiled last month in Bangui, CAR’s capital.

Russia has worked to deepen its foothold in Africa, offering security support and stoking anti-Western sentiment among embattled nations. This visit further underscores Moscow’s strategic push for influence on the continent.

Touadera’s three-day visit signifies a deepening partnership, as CAR looks to its powerful ally for security and stability amid ongoing turmoil.

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