Putin confirms Russia’s willingness to help the Central African Republic with security challenges

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Central African Republic (CAR) President Faustin-Archange Touadera discussed the fight against terrorism in a telephone conversation, the Kremlin press office said in a statement on Wednesday.

The Russian president also reiterated Moscow’s willingness to continue supporting Bangui in strengthening security and the economy in the country.

“Both leaders exchanged views on regional issues, with a focus on combating the terrorist threat and ensuring stability across the Central African Republic,” the statement said.

“The Russian side reiterated its readiness to continue supporting the Central African Republic in strengthening the country’s national economy, sovereignty and security,” the statement continued.

“Faustin-Archange Touadera thanked Russia for its comprehensive support,” the Kremlin press office added.

Russia supports the Central African Republic in its fight against terrorism in Central Africa, including the country’s participation in counterterrorism operations. Russia also supports the development of local agriculture and production in the Central African Republic.

Russian Ambassador to the Central African Republic Alexander Bikantov previously told TASS that Moscow and Bangui are discussing the establishment of a Russian military base in the Central African Republic.

Addressing participants in the first ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum on November 10, Russian President Putin said that Russia is ready to provide all possible assistance to African countries in all areas, including the fight against terrorism and its solution the food crisis.

The Russian president said at the time: “I would like to confirm that our country will continue to provide all possible assistance to African friends in various areas – in ensuring sustainable development, combating terrorism and extremism, combating epidemic diseases, solving the food problem , and dealing with the consequences of natural disasters.”

At the beginning of the year, Faustin Archangel Touadera thanked Putin for the grain deliveries at the beginning of the year.

President Putin made a decision on providing aid to the Central African Republic and other African countries during the second Russia-Africa summit held in Russia’s second largest city, Saint Petersburg, in 2023.

In January, the Russian ambassador in Bangui, Bikantov, told TASS that a shipment of 50,000 tons of food had been delivered to the Central African Republic from Russia.