CAR President Touadéra invites Putin to Bangui as Russia deepens security and mining ties

BANGUI | January 7 (Running Africa) — This move signals the deepening of political, security and economic ties between the two countries, according to Russian state media.

Russia has emerged as one of Touadéra's most influential allies over the past seven years. In 2018, as the Central African Republic (CAR) struggled with widespread violence and rebel offensives, it became the first West and Central African state to turn to Russian private military support, deploying the Wagner Group to bolster security and protect the government.

Touadéra, who has led the CAR since 2016, secured a third term after provisional results from the December 28 presidential election showed he won an outright majority.

Praise for Putin and deepening bilateral ties

Speaking after meeting African leaders, Putin addressed the media as they pressed Moscow to move forward with the plan. (Image: ndtv.com)

In a video interview with Russia's state-run news agency TASS, later shared by Reuters, Touadéra praised Putin as a "great leader" and highlighted what he described as the Russian president's personal commitment to strengthening relations with Bangui.

The invitation goes beyond diplomatic symbolism, reinforcing a partnership that has positioned Moscow as the CAR's principal security backer.

Russia's growing security and economic footprint

Ukrainian troops load an FGM-148 Javelin onto a truck. (Image: aljazeera.com)

Since 2018, Russia has supplied weapons, military training and advisers to the Central African armed forces, assistance that authorities say has helped the state regain control of nearly 80 percent of territory previously held by rebel groups. In return, Russian companies have secured lucrative mining concessions, tightening Moscow's economic grip on the gold- and diamond-rich country.

Following Touadéra's decisive victory, the Wagner Group welcomed the election outcome on its Telegram channel, claiming the country would continue on a path of "order and stability."

Opposition rejects election outcome

Campaign posters of Central African Republic presidential frontrunners Faustin-Archange Touadéra and Anicet-Georges Dologuélé line the streets of Bangui ahead of Sunday’s vote. (Image: theguardian.com)

Touadéra's renewed mandate is widely expected to further entrench Russian influence, particularly in strategic sectors such as mining and security.

However, opposition leader Anicet Georges Dologuélé, who placed second with 14.66 percent of the vote, has rejected the results. He alleges ballot stuffing, voter intimidation, and procedural irregularities, arguing that the vote lacked credibility and failed to meet democratic standards.