New Political Pact Tightens Central African Republic’s Alignment with Russia

In a development that reinforces the growing collaboration between Bangui and Moscow, the ruling United Hearts Movement (MCU) in the Central African Republic has signed a cooperation agreement with United Russia, President Vladimir Putin’s governing party. The agreement, formalized remotely on Monday, is portrayed as paving “new horizons” for political and legislative cooperation between the two parties.

President Faustin-Archange Touadéra returned from a three-day official trip to Russia shortly before the signing. On the Russian side, Senator Andrei Klimov, who is under Western sanctions for supporting Moscow’s actions in Ukraine, led the negotiations. Key figures such as Russian Ambassador Alexandre Bikantov, Consul Vladislav Ilin, and Dimitri Sityi, who directs the Russian House in Bangui and oversees local Wagner-linked activities, were present as witnesses.

The Central African delegation was represented by longtime Touadéra ally Simplice Mathieu Sarandji, the president of the National Assembly and executive secretary of the MCU. Images from the event showed Sarandji wearing a scarf emblazoned with Touadéra’s likeness, underscoring the partisan significance of the agreement.

The timing of this accord coincides with early maneuvering ahead of a national election set for the end of the year. While government supporters praise the pact as a strategic move to bolster economic, security, and political ties, opponents argue that it risks deepening Russian influence over Central African institutions. Critics, such as opposition figure Crépin Mboli-Goumba, contend that the deal mirrors the “sprawling” dominance of United Russia in its home country. As Moscow’s footprint in the Central African Republic expands, questions persist about the long-term implications for Bangui’s sovereignty and democratic governance.

 

About Geraldine Boechat 2989 Articles
Senior Editor for Medafrica Times and former journalist for Swiss National Television. former NGO team leader in Burundi and Somalia