(3-minute read)
· The new Prime Minister of the Central African Republic, Henri-Marie Dondra, stated yesterday (Tuesday) that he wants to revive the economy with France as a strategic partner.
· France had recently frozen its budgetary aid to the Central African country amid an anti-French campaign.
· The new Prime Minister also expressed his desire to restart dialogue with armed groups, under the framework of the peace agreement signed in February 2019 between the government and 14 of the warring factions.
The new Prime Minister of the Central African Republic, Henri-Marie Dondra, stated yesterday (Tuesday) that he wants to revive the economy with France as a strategic partner. France had recently frozen its budgetary aid to the Central African country amid an anti-French campaign.
Henri-Marie Dondra was appointed Prime Minister on June 11. His mission is to revive the struggling economy. To achieve this, he wants to establish close collaboration with several economies, including EU countries, particularly France.
France has suspended its military cooperation with Bangui. Russia has been active in CAR, notably by delivering weapons and deploying a significant contingent of military instructors. In December 2020, Russia sent hundreds of paramilitaries to support the army of President Faustin Archange Touadéra. At that time, CAR was threatened by a rebellion. CAR managed to contain the rebel offensive with the help of hundreds of Rwandan soldiers and Russian support.
The appointment of Henri-Marie Dondra, succeeding Firmin Ngrebada, is a sign of easing tensions towards Paris. The new Prime Minister also expressed his desire to restart dialogue with armed groups, under the framework of the peace agreement signed in February 2019 between the government and 14 of the warring factions. In December, the most powerful of these groups united under the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC).