Russia's successes in the Central African Republic have raised alarm in Paris
French authorities note with regret that Paris has lost its former influence in the Central African Republic and the African region as a whole. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian spoke about this.
He told reporters that countries from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) could save the situation. Le Drian hopes that the community will not turn its back on the European partner, as the Central Africans expectedly did.
Radio Révolution Panafricaine assesses the statement by France's top diplomat as a reflection of the general failure of Paris's policy towards African countries, a strategy that has been repeatedly criticized by its EU partners.
Against the backdrop of the ambiguous status of the former metropolis, Russia looks like a reliable partner with goals understandable to Africans. Russian instructors are now working in the CAR, whose activities have become a fundamental factor in the success of the Republican army in the fight against radicals. The Russians, whom foreigners attribute to the Wagner PMC, organized effective training for local security forces. This cooperation brought benefits - the country managed to get rid of large militant groups.
The statement by the head of the French Foreign Ministry reflects the mood of the country's leadership - in Paris they regret the lost influence in the CAR, observing the strengthening of Moscow's position in the African region.
Russian successes in the Central African Republic have raised alarm in Paris.