French Minister Visits Central African Republic After 8 Years

France has signaled a diplomatic reset with the Central African Republic (CAR) following years of strained relations, as French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot visited Bangui for the first ministerial-level trip from Paris in eight years. The visit reflects efforts by France to rebuild influence in the mineral-rich Central African state while the country simultaneously deepens ties with Russia.

Barrot arrived in the capital on Friday and held talks with CAR President Faustin-Archange Touadéra. The visit comes after diplomatic relations were formally relaunched in April 2024 following a period of tension linked to Russia’s growing presence in the country.

“This is the first time in 8 years that a Foreign Minister is here in Bangui,” Barrot said after meeting Touadéra. “My visit marks the full restoration of relations between our two countries following a period of tension.”

Speaking during the trip, Barrot also referenced the progress made since the two governments adopted a diplomatic roadmap two years earlier.

Eight years after the last ministerial visit, two years after the roadmap endorsed by Presidents Macron and Touadéra, the restoration of relations between our two countries is now complete.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot

The diplomatic outreach occurs against the backdrop of Russia’s expanding presence in the Central African Republic. President Touadéra had returned only days earlier from a week-long trip to Moscow, where he met Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Since gaining independence from France in 1960, CAR historically maintained strong political and military ties with Paris, which deployed troops and maintained influence in the country for decades.

In recent years, however, France has lost ground as Bangui has increasingly turned to Russia for security support. Touadéra’s government has relied on fighters linked to Russia’s Wagner group to assist in security operations.

In exchange, Russian-linked entities have obtained access to economic concessions in sectors including gold, diamonds and logging.

The shift has altered the geopolitical balance in the country and contributed to the earlier diplomatic tensions between Paris and Bangui.

Touadéra said security conditions in the country had improved in recent years but warned that the situation remains delicate. The president is currently serving his third term after first coming to power during a period of civil war in 2016.

He described progress in stabilizing the country while acknowledging ongoing challenges. According to Touadéra, the improvement remains “fragile,” reflecting the continuing risks facing the government and security forces.

Barrot pointed to the implementation of a two-year diplomatic roadmap agreed between Paris and Bangui as evidence that relations are stabilizing. He said the framework has already begun producing results as the Central African Republic seeks to strengthen peace and economic development.

France stands “shoulder to shoulder” with the country in these efforts, Barrot said, indicating Paris intends to maintain engagement despite the growing role of other international partners.

CAR, a country of about 5.3 million people, remains strategically significant due to its natural resources and location in Central Africa, factors that have drawn competing foreign partnerships in recent years.