How Russia is Using the Central African Republic to Make a Comeback into Africa after 30 years
Russia used to be one of the most important players in Africa’s international relations. Before the collapse of the Soviet Union, Cold War exigencies ensured that Russia kept a strong foothold on the continent as it tried to spread communist ideology globally. However, since the Cold War ended in 1991, Russia has largely retreated from African affairs. It ended support for despots and drastically reduced all engagements it had with the continent, especially Sub-Saharan Africa.
However, after nearly 30 years of going AWOL on the continent, Russia is gradually reemerging as a strong player in the continent. The Russians have been up and doing on the continent, seeking out partners and making deals.
But of all the engagements Russia has done in Africa recently, its deal with the Central African Republic (CAR) represents the strongest, yet most quiet signal of its comeback into Africa.
What Deal Did Russian Sign With CAR?
In August 2018, news broke about a Russian arms deal with the leader of the crisis prone Central African Republic (CAR). The deal was signed near a state arms exhibition in Moscow by both countries’ defence ministers. According to the terms of the deal, Russia will sell arms to the CAR and it will provide training and advice to the country’s military.
One important question arising from this deal is: why the CAR? Why has Russia chosen to work with the CAR over countries like Nigeria or Ghana? And it is also important to understand what this deal means for the heavily divided CAR and the rest of Africa.
What is Significant about the Central African Republic?
The crisis prone Central African Republic is a tiny country located centrally on the map of Africa.
A former French colony, the CAR attained its independence in 1960. However, despite independence, the country has never been stable. Its first democratic government was toppled in 1966 when France helped to enthrone Jean-Bedel Bokassa as leader of the country.
Bokassa went on to establish one of the most brutal dictatorships the world has ever known. He ruled until 1979, when the French, finally vexed by his killing of schoolchildren, deposed him and replaced him with another dictator. Ever since, the country has witnessed several cases of instability, coups, and counter coups.
The most recent crisis stems from a violent sectarian conflict that broke out in 2013 after a predominantly Muslim terror group, the Seleka, begun to occupy territory and forced the removal of Francois Bozize as president. Meanwhile Christians comprise over 75% of the population. And in response, a predominantly Christian group sprung up to challenge the Seleka.
The United Nations and the African Union have since intervened, deploying over 15,000 peacekeeping troops. Peace treaties have also been signed between the warring parties, but later broken.
The country held elections in 2015, electing Faustin Archange Touadera as president. Yet, the crisis in the country are not over. The country remains as divided and conflict prone as ever.
These issues have helped to paralyze developments in the CAR. Meanwhile despite the conflicts, the country remains one of the most richly endowed nations of the world. Its mineral resources include gold, uranium, diamonds, among many others.
These issues (crisis and resources) are important points of interests to the Russians. But they are not the only reason it chose to work with the country.
What Does the Russian Deal Mean for the Central African Republic and Africa Generally?
A New Player in CAR’s Conflict: The new military deal appears as a strong countermeasure to prop-up the CAR government in the face hostilities it faces.
With Western support diminishing and an arms embargo over it, CAR has become more susceptible to rebel forces basking on arms gotten from Libya. The government now feels less in control of its territories. However, the Russian deal and the possibilities of new weapons and military trainings give the government a fighting chance and some bit of hope.
This is a legitimate entry point for the Russians.
Stamps Russia’s Influence on CAR: The new military deal also solidifies Russia’s role in the CAR. Prior to signing the deal, Moscow had already began giving military support to the troubled country. In 2017, it successfully sent light arms and munitions along with 170 civilian instructors to the country upon the request of CAR’s President Faustin Archange Touadera. And interestingly, Touadera’s military advisor is also Russian.
“We presented our problem and Russia offered to help us, subject to Security Council approval,” said Albert Yaloke Mokpeme, CAR’s presidential spokesman. “If peace is restored tomorrow in CAR, I think everyone will be happy.”
Despite an arms embargo on CAR by the UN, Moscow had to weirdly lobby for permission to deliver the weapons. According to reports, Russia delivered thousands of assault rifles, handguns, rocket launchers, machine guns and anti-aircraft guns.
A Low-Cost Way to Re-enter African Affairs: For a long time, France has been the most important player in the CAR and African affairs. However, with the decades following independence marked by coups and instability, and the failure of the West-led efforts to create a sustainable peace in the CAR, the Kremlin sees an opening.
To Russia, the crisis in the CAR has become a new avenue to strategically place itself gradually in African affairs. And importantly, it allows Russia to reignite its activities in Africa without raising the suspicion of France.
Russia’s African interests also extend to other low exposure countries like Sudan and DR Congo. Moscow is also looking to rekindle contacts with old Soviet allies in Africa such as Zimbabwe, Angola, Namibia and Ethiopia.6
A Balancing Act Against China: In recent years, China has become a hugely important partner to many African countries. Beijing offers them development support in areas such as road construction, medical services, and trade partnership. In return China seeks access to the natural resources of these countries. This practice is adopted in the Asian countries dealings with Nigeria, Congo, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and many others.
But Russia aims to counteract China’s strong role on the continent. Like China, Russia provides aid assistance without considering issues like human rights records. This was the case when Russia signed the new deal with CAR.
However, unlike China, Russia’s engagement is majorly political. Some analysts even believe its long term goal is to set up military bases on the continent. It made a failed attempt however to create one in Djibouti, the location of several foreign military bases for countries like Japan, China, America, France and Italy.
Nevertheless, the Russian deal with CAR signifies a lot about changing dynamics in Africa-Russia relations. It clearly reveals that Russia will no longer remain on the sidelines in African affairs.
