Central African Armed Forces

Central African Republic
Armed forces training to be the focus when EU arrives for government talks

A European delegation is expected in Bangui in mid-February and is due to meet with Faustin-Archange Touadéra, in particular to address the tricky topic of military training.

Central African Republic
Southeast plagued by deadly clashes between Zandé militias and government forces

The Haut-Mbomou region is experiencing renewed violence following the election of Faustin-Archange Touadéra to a third term.

Central African Republic
Wagner enlists former rebels to regain control in the southeast

The Russian paramilitary group has deployed former rebels demobilised by Livestock Minister Hassan Bouba to take on Zande militiamen in the southeast of the country, where the security crisis continues to worsen.

The New Guard
Ethiopia, Central African Republic, Tunisia

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

EthiopiaMahlet Afework, the haute couture entrepreneur who's in fashion

Central African RepublicAnge-Gabriel Patassé, government's trusted commander

TunisiaWael Chouchane wants to reconnect Tunis with the EU

Central African Republic
Wagner orchestrates Armel Sayo's return to Bangui

Nearly four months after his arrest in Cameroon, the rebel has been transferred to Bangui where he is now detained in Roux camp. His return is the result of an agreement between Cameroonian and Central African police.

Central African Republic
Ex-minister and rebel Armel Sayo sees entourage arrested

Armel Sayo, accused of wanting to overthrow Faustin-Archange Touadéra and detained in Cameroon, has had several members of his close entourage, including family, placed in custody over the past few months. The detainees have been transferred to different prisons in the capital.

Central African Republic
Wagner launches recruitment drive in the north

The Russian group's paramilitaries have begun training young militiamen from the Gula ethnic group to extend their control and secure their interests in the Vakaga prefecture, on the border with Sudan and Chad.

Central African Republic
Armel Sayo avoids extradition to Bangui

The authorities have failed in their appeal to Cameroon to hand over the rebel leader. Having founded an armed group in northern CAR just a few months ago, he has been held in Yaoundé's central prison since January.

Central African Republic
Touadéra to set up eastern tribunal to handle communal violence

The eastern Central African Republic town of Zemio, which suffered violent inter-communal clashes in 2024, is to get a new tribunal to try the crimes committed there.

Central African Republic
Moscow sets up legal framework for arms sales to Bangui

At the Army 2024 international forum held in Moscow in August, CAR's Defence Minister signed an agreement with his Russian counterpart to regulate the sale of Russian arms to his country.

Central African Republic
Armed Forces' Chief of Staff rebuffed by member of the presidential guard

The Central African presidential guard, riddled with internal tensions and personal rivalries, is being torn apart over the case of Lieutenant Julien Rafai, who is also the leader of a powerful militia operating within the army.

Central African Republic, France
Rwandan army and MINUSCA in the running to take over M'Poko base

The French army will withdraw from Bangui before the end of the year, freeing up the M'Poko military base. To avoid it falling into Russian paramilitary Wagner's hands, Paris is in discussions with MINUSCA and the Rwandan army.

Central African Republic
Paris takes stock of EU military training mission

France has taken advantage of its turn to command the European Union Training Mission to order a wide-ranging audit of its performance. This is expected to result in the mission being completely reorganised or perhaps even being called off altogether.