Latest news with #CentralAfricanRepublic
Zawya
8 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Haut-Mbomou: United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) focuses on employment and training to reduce communal violence
In Bambouti, Haut-Mbomou, MINUSCA launched the 8th phase of the Community Violence Reduction Program on May 27, 2025. Lasting three months, it will focus on Cash For Work and vocational training for the benefit of 160 participants, including 90 women. An opportunity for the youth of the locality to be able to take charge of themselves. The training will include sewing, carpentry, masonry and sanitation actions. Some beneficiaries express their joy and emphasize that the money they will receive will help them start income-generating activities. "I express my gratitude to MINUSCA, because the work I will do will help me to become financially independent. When I receive the money, I will start investing in Income-Generating Activities," said Suzanne Mbate, one of the beneficiaries. Many participants in the professional training recognize the benefits of this initiative, both for the community and for themselves. Beneficiaries of past editions of the Programme are currently engaged in income-generating activities. These initiatives help to reduce acts of violence in the community. The mayor of Bambouti, Anne-Marie Sioukarani, welcomes this program which will contribute to the development of the region: "This initiative will contribute effectively to the development of the locality. Because it is a good thing for the youth of Bambouti who, for several years, had nothing to do as an activity or training. The launch of the CVR 8 project will help young people to take charge of themselves." It should be noted that the sanitation work will take place in particular at the town hall and the sub-prefecture. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).
Russia Today
17 hours ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Russia to expand ties with Africa in ‘sensitive' sectors
Moscow plans to scale up military and security cooperation with African countries as part of a wider push to deepen ties with the continent, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov has announced. The Kremlin spokesman made the statement at a press briefing on Monday, where he noted Russia's growing presence in Africa. 'We intend to comprehensively develop our interaction with African countries, focusing primarily on economic and investment interaction. And this cooperation also extends to sensitive areas related to defense and security. In this regard, Russia will also continue interaction and cooperation with African states,' Peskov said, according to RIA Novosti. Moscow has positioned itself as a strategic ally to African states across military, economic, and diplomatic spheres in recent years. Russian officials have said deepening ties with the continent is among the Kremlin's top foreign policy priorities. Several African governments, including Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic, have increasingly turned to Russia for security cooperation, describing it as a more reliable partner than Western powers. The transitional authorities in Bamako, Niamey, and Ouagadougou have severed defense ties with France, accusing the former colonial power of aggression and threatening their sovereignty. Speaking at an Africa Day event in Moscow last month, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia remains a reliable and steadfast partner to African nations in their efforts to strengthen sovereignty, which he said is undermined by neocolonial practices. Aside from military partnerships, Moscow intends to expand its diplomatic footprint in Africa, with embassies set to open in Comoros, Niger, Sierra Leone, and South Sudan. A Russian Consulate General is also scheduled to be established in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh, according to a decree signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in late May. According to official figures, trade between Russia and Africa has also experienced 'dynamic growth,' surpassing $27.7 billion in 2024. At the same time, the number of African students enrolling in Russian universities has reportedly continued to rise. Last month, Lavrov described education as a key pillar of bilateral cooperation, announcing that more than 32,000 African students are currently studying in Russia.
Al Jazeera
2 days ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Russia plans to boost economic and military ties in Africa
Russia is working to enhance its economic and military ties in Africa, Moscow has outlined. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declared on Monday that Russia's presence in Africa is 'growing'. The move is part of an ongoing bid by Moscow to step into a geopolitical vacuum in West Africa as Western powers retreat amid a series of military coups in the region. 'We really intend to comprehensively develop our interaction with African countries, focusing primarily on economic and investment interaction,' Peskov told reporters. 'This also corresponds to and extends to such sensitive areas as defence and security,' he added. Russia's growing security role in parts of Africa, including in countries such as Mali, Central African Republic and Equatorial Guinea, is viewed with concern by the West, and has come at the expense of former colonial power France, whose forces have departed or been expelled from several West African countries over recent years, and the United States. The Kremlin's ambition appears undimmed by recent reports that Russian paramilitary group Wagner is leaving Mali after helping the military government fight armed groups. The Africa Corps, a Kremlin-controlled paramilitary force, said it will remain in the West African country in Wagner's place. Mali, ruled by a military government that seized power in coups in 2020 and 2021, has never officially admitted Wagner's presence, insisting only that it was working with Russian instructors. During the same period, however, the government broke ties with France and pivoted towards Russia for political and military support. The Africa Corps was created with support from the Russian Ministry of Defence after Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin and commander Dmitry Utkin led a failed mutiny against the Russian army leadership in June 2023 and were killed two months later in a plane crash. According to several Telegram chats used by Russian mercenaries seen by the Reuters news agency, about 70 to 80 percent of the Africa Corps is made up of former Wagner members. Replacing Wagner with Africa Corps troops would likely shift Russia's focus in Mali from fighting alongside the Malian army to training, said Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel programme at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. 'Africa Corps has a lighter footprint and focuses more on training, providing equipment and doing protection services. They fight less than the 'Rambo-type' Wagner mercenaries,' Laessing told The Associated Press news agency.
Asharq Al-Awsat
2 days ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Russia Says Plan to Boost Role in Africa Includes 'Sensitive' Security Ties
Russia plans to step up cooperation with African countries, including in "sensitive areas" such as defense and security, the Kremlin said on Monday. Russian mercenary group Wagner said last week it was leaving Mali after helping the military junta there in its fight with militants. But the Africa Corps, a Kremlin-controlled paramilitary force, said it would remain in the west African country, Reuters said. Asked what this meant for Russia's role in Africa, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "The Russian presence in Africa is growing. We really intend to comprehensively develop our interaction with African countries, focusing primarily on economic and investment interaction. "This also corresponds to and extends to such sensitive areas as defense and security. In this regard, Russia will also continue interaction and cooperation with African states." Russia's growing security role in parts of the continent, including in countries such as Mali, Central African Republic and Equatorial Guinea, is viewed with concern by the West, and has come at the expense of France and the United States. Russia's Africa Corps was created with the Russian Defense Ministry's support after Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin and commander Dmitry Utkin led a failed mutiny against the Russian army leadership in June 2023 and were killed two months later in a plane crash. About 70-80% of the Africa Corps is made up of former Wagner members, according to several Telegram chats used by Russian mercenaries seen by Reuters.
Al Arabiya
2 days ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Russia says plan to boost role in Africa includes ‘sensitive' security ties
Russia plans to step up cooperation with African countries, including in 'sensitive areas' such as defense and security, the Kremlin said on Monday. Russian mercenary group Wagner said last week it was leaving Mali after helping the military junta there in its fight against militants. But the Africa Corps, a Kremlin-controlled paramilitary force, said it would remain in the west African country. Asked what this meant for Russia's role in Africa, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: 'The Russian presence in Africa is growing. We really intend to comprehensively develop our interaction with African countries, focusing primarily on economic and investment interaction. 'This also corresponds to and extends to such sensitive areas as defense and security. In this regard, Russia will also continue interaction and cooperation with African states.' Russia's growing security role in parts of the continent, including in countries such as Mali, Central African Republic and Equatorial Guinea, is viewed with concern by the West, and has come at the expense of France and the United States. Russia's Africa Corps was created with the Russian defense ministry's support after Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin and commander Dmitry Utkin led a failed mutiny against the Russian army leadership in June 2023 and were killed two months later in a plane crash. About 70-80 percent of the Africa Corps is made up of former Wagner members, according to several Telegram chats used by Russian mercenaries seen by Reuters.
