By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Central African Republic’s President, Faustin-Archange Touadera has arrived Russia on a working visit where he thanked Moscow for its security support, urging his host, President Vladimir Putin to help the country deal with energy problems.
At their meeting in Kremlin, President Touadéra told Putin that Russia’s security presence made it possible for this country to hold election in December, in which he secured victory for a new seven-year term.
Russia has expanded it security and economic influence in parts of Africa, often viewed as a source of concern especially by the West. Paris and Washington’s influence has waned in parts of African continent, including West Africa where they have been ditched by military-led nations.
Russia’s Africa Corps, a paramilitary force that succeeded the former Wagner mercenary group, is active in several countries including Mali, Equatorial Guinea and CAR.
President Touadera also thanked Putin for donating Russian grain and fuel, and said CAR was looking for further support.
“Today, the Central African Republic faces a major challenge in the field of energy, and the Russian Federation has a great deal of expertise in these matters,” he said at the beginning of their meeting.
Putin said the two countries had good prospects to strengthen their ties in energy, agriculture and infrastructure.
Russia is working to increase its influence and economic ties in Africa as part of a wider strategy to strengthen relationships with developing countries following its fractured relations with West over the war in Ukraine that has entered its 4th year.
