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The President is also mistrustful of the Western military presence in the country. While the U.N. and Central African forces battle armed groups in the capital and further afield, the President’s team is more concerned with resisting the West. The international community’s support for Touadéra has been flagging due to the slow progress of the country’s reconstruction, and his cabinet has taken it to heart. One presidential adviser told Jeune Afrique that he thinks “westerners are able to organize the fall of Touadéra” and coyly indicated that the president is “conscious of the things that are being engineered against him.”
The situation is a win-win from Touadéra’s perspective: Russia gains regional influence and the President feels secure from the perceived threat of the U.N. But Touadéra may have more to fear from the Russians than he thinks. From January to March, Russian officials met with at least three major rebel leaders in the country. Two of them —Michel Djotodia, a former president of CAR; and Noureddine Adam, who leads the Renaissance of the Central African Republic group — are currently subject to sanctions from the United States and U.N. respectively for their roles in the 2013 coup d’état and subsequent reign of terror that brought about the country’s current humanitarian crisis. If the Russians are pinning their aspirations on Touadéra, then Moscow’s cooperation with the President’s enemies is strange indeed. It could be economics. Rebel groups control most of the country, including areas rich in oil, uranium, and diamonds. Indeed, Djotodia’s March meeting with the Russians reportedly concerned access to platinum and mercury deposits on his land. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement indicating that Moscow intended to work with the government to secure mining concessions, but since Touadéra is unlikely to negotiate peace or retake the land outright, Russia may be attempting to acquire the resources it desires through other means.
On the other hand, Russia’s actions put it in a unique position to wield political influence in the country. By arming the country’s military, conducting business deals with rebel groups and ensuring the personal safety of the President, Russia can now pursue its interests, financial or otherwise, much more effectively. Unlike other actors in the region such as Rwanda or Chad, Russia’s engagement is independent of the U.N. and will have a freer hand to operate or play kingmaker if the peacekeeping mission withdraws.
originally posted by: lostbook
I can't figure out why the US has been so slow to invest in Africa for all of its wealth of wildlife, resources, water, oil, and minerals.
originally posted by: vinifalou
originally posted by: lostbook
I can't figure out why the US has been so slow to invest in Africa for all of its wealth of wildlife, resources, water, oil, and minerals.
The U.S. has ruined enough countries already. Think they've enough of it or busy with someone else.
originally posted by: yuppa
Le the Russians go to south africa and take over. AT least then the white farmers will be protected again.
originally posted by: lostbook
originally posted by: yuppa
Le the Russians go to south africa and take over. AT least then the white farmers will be protected again.
While I understand your frustrations especially if you are a white farmer in s Africa, the purpose of this thread is to look at the conspiracy angle of this development.
originally posted by: yuppa
originally posted by: lostbook
originally posted by: yuppa
Le the Russians go to south africa and take over. AT least then the white farmers will be protected again.
While I understand your frustrations especially if you are a white farmer in s Africa, the purpose of this thread is to look at the conspiracy angle of this development.
Its a conspiracy the SA government is trying to kill them off.
originally posted by: lostbook
originally posted by: yuppa
Le the Russians go to south africa and take over. AT least then the white farmers will be protected again.
While I understand your frustrations especially if you are a white farmer in s Africa, the purpose of this thread is to look at the conspiracy angle of this development.