Russia, Central African Republic sign military cooperation pact
Moscow and the Central African Republic (CAR) signed a military cooperation agreement on 21 August, less than a month after three Russian journalists were killed in the strife-torn CAR while probing alleged Russian mercenaries.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and his CAR counterpart Marie-Noelle Koyara signed the document on the sidelines of defence expo Army-2018 outside Moscow, Russian agencies reported.
The deal ‘will help strengthen ties in the defence sphere,’ Shoigu was quoted as saying after the ceremony.
There were no immediate details.
The agreement is set to deepen Moscow's involvement in the impoverished CAR, where the government is desperate to boost its armed forces in the fight against militias which control most of the country.
A UN arms embargo imposed in 2013 was lifted in 2017 exclusively for Moscow.
It has since then sent instructors and some equipment and now provides security for President Faustin-Archange Touadera.
The deal follows the murder in late July 2018 of three Russian journalists who were ambushed in CAR while investigating a shadowy Russian mercenary group called Wagner and its possible relation to both government and rebel forces.
The investigation was funded by ex-oil tycoon Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky.
Both CAR authorities and Moscow have labelled the killings a robbery, but Khodorkovsky's own inquiry claimed this argument ‘does not stand up to scrutiny.’
More from Defence Notes
-
US lawmakers warn that “more military spending is absolutely necessary” to ensure Pentagon’s readiness
The US Congress has raised concerns about how inflation rates and cuts in main acquisition programmes could affect the US military.
-
Can the US overcome Russian and Chinese nuclear capabilities?
Washington’s ageing inventory and the pace Moscow and Beijing have been modernising their capabilities put in check the US Nuclear deterrence.
-
US FY2024 funding package passes as China closes military capability gap
The Pentagon has been operating under temporary funding since October 2023, which has impacted its main acquisition and development programmes, increasing the capability gap between the US and China.
-
NATO outlines future challenges as Ukrainian funding from US stalls
In 2023, defence spending increased by an unprecedented 11% across European NATO countries and Canada. Since 2014, the group has spent an additional US$600 billion on defence.
-
US Pentagon to reduce investments in main acquisition programmes over FY2025
The DoD requested nearly US$850 billion to fund operations over the next fiscal year. Despite the amount being 1% higher than the FY2024 budget request, it has not covered the 3% inflation rate, which could impact the DoD’s main programmes in the medium and long term.