Central African Republic Govt Announces Arrival Of 600 New Russian Instructors
The Russian instructors will help the Central Africa Republic in its fight against rebel groups in the country.
The Central African Republic government has announced the arrival of 600 new Russian ‘instructors’ in the country.
Marie-Noelle Koyara, CAR’s Minister of National Defence disclosed this in a recent correspondence to the Security Council of the United Nations.
This new contingent adds to the 300 who were announced in Dec. 2020 by the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs “to help in the fight against the mounting violence attributed to rebel groups in the country.”
According to Koyara, 200 of the Russian instructors would be assigned to the defense and security forces, 200 to the gendarmerie, and 200 to the national police.
Under pressure from the United Nations, the Russian government had announced the withdrawal of 300 instructors sent to the Central African Republic, adding that just 550 Russian instructors remained in the country.
The United Nations pressure is due to increasing reports of atrocities and human rights abuses by the Russian mercenaries of the Wagner Security Group against Central African Republic citizens.
However, sources on the ground say there are more than 2000 Russian ‘instructors’ currently in the country. With the arrival of the new contingent of 600, the Russian military force in the Central African Republic should be above or nearing 3000.
The head of the United Nations Organisation Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), Mankeur Ndiaye last month announced the opening of investigations on the alleged crimes attributed to the Russian paramilitary forces in the Central African Republic.
Support Our Journalism
There are millions of ordinary people affected by conflict in Africa whose stories are missing in the mainstream media. HumAngle is determined to tell those challenging and under-reported stories, hoping that the people impacted by these conflicts will find the safety and security they deserve.
To ensure that we continue to provide public service coverage, we have a small favour to ask you. We want you to be part of our journalistic endeavour by contributing a token to us.
Your donation will further promote a robust, free, and independent media.
Donate Here
