Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Central African Republic (CAR) President Faustin-Archange Touadera in Moscow on Thursday to discuss bolstering security cooperation between their nations.
During the meeting, Putin emphasized Russia’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations and enhancing security efforts. “We intend to act in this direction as we have done so far. We will discuss these prospects with you in a broad format and then during our face-to-face meeting,” Putin stated.
President Touadera acknowledged the “significant progress” in restoring peace and stability in CAR, attributing much of the success to their collaboration with Russian military forces. He underscored the need for continued Russian support, particularly in enhancing border security, and lauded Russian experts as skilled and courageous.
Touadera also requested additional shipments of advanced military equipment to further strengthen CAR’s defense and security forces.
Russia has emerged as a key security ally for several African nations in recent years, often outpacing traditional partners like France and the United States. Moscow has expanded its influence through military partnerships, including the deployment of Wagner Group mercenaries in at least six African countries since 2017.
The meeting reaffirms Russia’s growing role in Africa’s security landscape and signals further alignment between Moscow and Bangui in addressing regional stability challenges.
