Latest news with #Touadera
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thousands rally against Russian Wagner mercenaries in Central African Republic
BANGUI, Central African Republic (AP) — Thousands took to the streets Friday in the Central African Republic to protest President Faustin Archange Touadera's plans to run for a third term with the backing of Russian-led mercenaries from the Wagner group. The rally was organized by opposition parties that object to Touadera's third term as president. The country is one of the first in which the Wagner mercnaries established operations with the pledge of fighting rebel groups and restoring peace. Wagner forces have served as personal bodyguards for Touadera, helping him win a constitutional referendum in July 2023 that could extend his power indefinitely. 'We're here to say no to a third term for Faustin Archange Touadera. But more than that, we want to protect our sovereignty, which Touadera and the Wagner have trampled upon," said a member of the opposition, Justin Winè. "The Wagner have raped and killed without any justice. This is not normal. To put an end to their reign, Touadera must go,' he said. The CAR has been in conflict since 2013, when predominantly Muslim rebels seized power and forced then-President François Bozizé from office. Six of the 14 armed groups that signed a 2019 peace deal later left the agreement. Locals and the government have credited Wagner forces with preventing rebels from taking control of Bangui in 2021. Martin Ziguélé, an opposition spokesman, thanked the country's youth for attending Friday's rally in their thousands to stand up for the country's constitution.
The Independent
04-04-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Thousands rally against Russian Wagner mercenaries in Central African Republic
Thousands took to the streets Friday in the Central African Republic to protest President Faustin Archange Touadera's plans to run for a third term with the backing of Russian-led mercenaries from the Wagner group. The rally was organized by opposition parties that object to Touadera's third term as president. The country is one of the first in which the Wagner mercnaries established operations with the pledge of fighting rebel groups and restoring peace. Wagner forces have served as personal bodyguards for Touadera, helping him win a constitutional referendum in July 2023 that could extend his power indefinitely. 'We're here to say no to a third term for Faustin Archange Touadera. But more than that, we want to protect our sovereignty, which Touadera and the Wagner have trampled upon," said a member of the opposition, Justin Winè. "The Wagner have raped and killed without any justice. This is not normal. To put an end to their reign, Touadera must go,' he said. The CAR has been in conflict since 2013, when predominantly Muslim rebels seized power and forced then-President François Bozizé from office. Six of the 14 armed groups that signed a 2019 peace deal later left the agreement. Locals and the government have credited Wagner forces with preventing rebels from taking control of Bangui in 2021. Martin Ziguélé, an opposition spokesman, thanked the country's youth for attending Friday's rally in their thousands to stand up for the country's constitution.
Associated Press
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Thousands rally against Russian Wagner mercenaries in Central African Republic
BANGUI, Central African Republic (AP) — Thousands took to the streets Friday in the Central African Republic to protest President Faustin Archange Touadera's plans to run for a third term with the backing of Russian-led mercenaries from the Wagner group. The rally was organized by opposition parties that object to Touadera's third term as president. The country is one of the first in which the Wagner mercnaries established operations with the pledge of fighting rebel groups and restoring peace. Wagner forces have served as personal bodyguards for Touadera, helping him win a constitutional referendum in July 2023 that could extend his power indefinitely. 'We're here to say no to a third term for Faustin Archange Touadera. But more than that, we want to protect our sovereignty, which Touadera and the Wagner have trampled upon,' said a member of the opposition, Justin Winè. 'The Wagner have raped and killed without any justice. This is not normal. To put an end to their reign, Touadera must go,' he said. The CAR has been in conflict since 2013, when predominantly Muslim rebels seized power and forced then-President François Bozizé from office. Six of the 14 armed groups that signed a 2019 peace deal later left the agreement. Locals and the government have credited Wagner forces with preventing rebels from taking control of Bangui in 2021.
The National
07-03-2025
- Business
- The National
President Sheikh Mohamed meets Central African Republic leader as Cepa is signed
President Touadera has been on a working visit to the Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed met Faustin-Archange Touadera, President of the Central African Republic, on Thursday, as the two nations signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. The leaders met at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi, where they discussed trade, investment, renewable energy, infrastructure and other important development areas that serve the interests of both nations, state news agency Wam reported. The trade agreement aims to enhance bilateral trade and investment opportunities, particularly in vital sectors. Sheikh Mohamed said the signing of the agreement marks a new phase in the UAE's relationship with the Central African Republic, driven by a shared vision for growth and sustainable development to achieve mutual economic and social benefits, Wam reported. Mr Touadera welcomed the signing of the agreement, voicing hope that it would strengthen economic ties between the UAE and the Central African Republic and contribute to sustainable development and economic prosperity for both countries. It is estimated that non-oil trade between the UAE and the Central African Republic reached $252 million in 2024, a 75 per cent increase on the previous year, stated Wam. Among the non-oil exports from the UAE to the Central African Republic are essential consumer goods such as food products, textiles, and electronics, as well as machinery and pharmaceuticals that support important sectors across Africa. The Central African Republic exports agricultural products, including coffee, cotton, and cassava, to the UAE, in addition to valuable mineral resources, such as gold and diamonds. The agreement is expected to 'increase market access for locally produced goods in both countries by reducing or eliminating tariffs, removing non-tariff trade barriers, and boosting investment in key sectors, including agriculture, infrastructure, and technology', Wam reported. As the UAE continues to expand its global trade network, the agreement underlines its commitment to strengthening strategic economic ties with African nations, recognising the continent's growing role in the global economy, Wam added.
Voice of America
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Voice of America
False: With Russia's support, CAR significantly succeeded in combating militants
Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, Russian deputy defense minister and President Vladimir Putin's special envoy to Africa, visited C.A.R. on March 2 to give assurance of continued military and economic support for leader Faustin-Archange Touadera. State-owned news outlet Sputnik Africa reported on Yevkurov's visit, highlighting Russia's military presence in C.A.R. as "significantly" successful in subjugating militant groups opposing the government. Sputnik Africa attributed the quote to an unnamed Russian deputy ambassador to the United Nations. The claim is false. Russian military involvement in C.A.R. formally started in 2018, with the Kremlin-backed mercenary group Wagner, now rebranded Africa Corps, a unit under the command of the Russian Defense Ministry, arriving to provide support to President Touadera. The security situation since the Russian troops' arrival in C.A.R. has seen little improvement, according to multiple reports. Contrary to the Kremlin and its media claims, the Russian forces did not contribute to establishing peace and stability but instead became one of the most violent armed groups in C.A.R. spreading terror and corruption, The Associated Press reported in April 2024. The Africa Corps, the successor of Wagner, continues waging a "campaign of terror" in Central African Republic, the VOA sister organization Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported in February. "Between 2018 and 2024, Russian troops were involved in more than 100 fights and committed more than 362 incidents of violence against civilians. The violence resulted in at least 786 fatalities," RFE/RL reported, citing data by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project, a U.S.-based nonprofit. In exchange for military support to president Touadera, the Kremlin gained control over C.A.R. mineral resources, extracting "half a billion dollars a year in gold, timber, and blood diamonds," NBC News reported last May. Central African Republic, one of the poorest countries on Earth, has been engaged in a civil war since 2013, mainly over control of its vast natural resources, including elements vital for modern hi-tech, such as uranium, cobalt and gold. The Touadera administration proposed an internationally sponsored plan to help the rebels transition to a civilian life and signed a peace deal with 14 militia groups in 2019. About 5,000 militants used the opportunity, but at least 15% of them returned to the rebel groups, and some 70% are suspected of either serving simultaneously in the government forces and in militias, or joining the Russian units, the U.N. said in 2024. Most of the millions of dollars the West spent to disarm the rebels and end the violence in C.A.R. are lost to corruption, including the $3.5 million sent by the U.S., and at least six of the 14 groups who signed the 2019 peace agreement with president Touadera letter broke their commitment, the AP reported last April. At least 14 rebel groups continue to control two-thirds of the country, including certain districts in the capital, Bangui, according to the Global Conflict Tracker interactive database produced by the Council on Foreign Relations, a U.S. analytical institution. The U.N. Security Council said in October, "the situations in the northwest and eastern parts of the country appear to be particularly concerning because of competition among armed groups over control of natural resources and main road axes." "Civilians continue to bear the brunt of continued instability in the country, including the use of explosive ordnance and the involvement of various armed groups in kidnapping for ransom," the U.N. reported. According to Forbidden Stories, an international network of journalists, the Kremlin has been stepping up propaganda efforts to increase its influence in the Central African Republic and other African countries. In its investigation, published in November last year, the outlet said that Russia has been covering the harsh reality on the ground through a network of paid local journalists, whose reports are amplified by the Russian state-owned news agency Sputnik and paid content creators on social media. Russian troops have been involved in "widespread, systematic, and well-planned campaigns of mass killing, torture, and rape throughout the country," the U.S. Department of State said in a report on Russian military and propaganda activities in Africa, published February 2024. The U.S. designated Wagner an international criminal organization in January 2023 for "an ongoing pattern of serious criminal activity, including mass executions, rape, child abductions, and physical abuse in the Central African Republic and Mali." Conclusion Russian military activities in the Central African Republic reportedly resulted in increased violence, instead of helping to stop the civil war. Reliable reports show that Russian troops have systematically committed atrocities while profiting from exploiting natural resources. The U.N. noted Russian corrupting influence as one of the reasons for the failure of a peace agreement.
