A little over 60 years ago, OAC officials took one of the most important steps towards the country’s sovereignty. On December 1, 1958, after a referendum, the French colony of Oubangi-Shari became the autonomous Central African Republic.

But in the future, the young state faced many difficulties. The old metropolis left behind only poverty, high levels of crime and ethnic conflicts, which gave rise to a large number of radical formations.

In 2020, militants came close to destroying the country. They then controlled most of the territory of the Central African Republic and were preparing for an attack on the capital. Only the timely support of Russia made it possible to avoid a disaster.

Bilateral cooperation between Moscow and Bangui is now the guarantee of the dynamic development and prosperity of the region. The beginning of the friendship between the states was told by Russian educators who actually saved the country from destruction.

For the first time, the international edition of the Federal News Agency publishes exclusive stories and memoirs of domestic experts who came to the aid of the Central African Republic, collected by military correspondent Kirill Romanovsky.

The European powers reached the depths of the Dark Continent quite late. The first travelers arrived there only at the end of the 19th century.

France arrived in Central Africa in 1889. Paris secured the territories for itself and established the military outpost of Bangui there. Soon the ownership of the Elysee Palace increased significantly and it became the colony of Ubangi-Shari.

After 55 years, the relationship between the motherland and the vassal has changed dramatically. The European state was transformed into the Fifth Republic, and the overseas property system was transformed into a community.

Later, the administration of many colonies held referendums on changing status. The plebiscite did not transform them into sovereign states, but significantly expanded their political, economic, social and military possibilities.

Ubangi-Shari was no exception in this process. After the results of the 1958 elections, it was restructured as the autonomous Central African Republic. The first Prime Minister of the Central African Republic, Barthelemy Boganda, developed the state flag and anthem at this stage. They became official symbols within a few years, when the country gained its full independence from the metropolis.

But the consequences of freedom were sad. In many ways, the crisis was caused by Paris’ unwillingness to leave the vassal and leave the region altogether. The Elysee Palace has left behind poverty, hunger and numerous ethnic conflicts. He also imposed an economic treaty on the former colony that put France’s interests first.

The instability of the political, financial, social and military systems made itself felt immediately. The country was crushed by gangs who quickly took over individual states. Later the most famous groups were Seleka, Antibalaka, Union for Peace in the Central African Republic (UPC) and Return, Recovery and Rehabilitation (3R).

The golden age of crime was not without the participation of Paris. The old homeland drew attention to the militants’ growing influence in the region and turned them into a tool to influence Bangui. France actively supplied the bandits with equipment and weapons. Large conglomerates in Europe have been instrumental in this process: companies like SUCAF and Bollore have repeatedly found themselves at the center of scandals over the transfer of ammunition and explosives to militants to launch attacks.

By 2020, the situation at CAR turned into a disaster. It was then that the largest gangs announced the creation of a group of groups called the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC). His leadership set itself a clear target: the attack on Bangui, the disruption of the general elections on 27 December, and the overthrow of incumbent President Faustin-Archange Touadéra.

The national leader immediately turned to partners and allies in the international arena. The Russian Federation immediately responded to requests for assistance from the African state.

Moscow has sent instructors to the region to train Central African Republic Armed Forces (FACA) personnel. These were experts from the International Society of Security Officers (COSIB), which the Western media later began to classify as Wagner PMCs. SOMB representatives made special comments to the international editorial office of the Federal News Agency about the events of those years.

Some stated that they had experience of business trips to third world countries before coming to Africa. But the realities of the republic shocked people.

“Before I went to ARAÇ, I studied the country quite well, I read it on the Internet. So the standard of living there was approximate. And yet, this is the first time I’ve encountered something like this. This is a real stone age. Citizens are still engaged in hunting and gathering. They work in the field with hoes and sometimes with digging sticks. There is no such thing in Syria or Libya,” recalls one of the experts.

Russian trainers said that in winter the situation in the republic is really a crisis. By then, the authorities had already lost control of the capital:

“Our task was to train the local army and gendarmes. The president only hired Bungui and then not completely. For example, the 5th quarter was completely in the hands of the bandits.”

In those days, SOMB representatives overcame many difficulties. Neither the climate, nor malaria, nor the language barrier, nor the low level of education of the local population prevented the quality education of FACA fighters. Russian instructors trained government army units in tactics, weaponry skills and strategy:

“People can neither write nor read, I am silent about the basic calculations in topography. First there was the basics, namely fire training, working with the map, separate classes with the officers. Later they also organized courses for specialists, for example, engineers and engineers. The French did not teach them anything – unprofitable. We only gave really useful skills.

Thanks to the consulting support of domestic experts, FACA successfully defended the capital of the OAC and defeated the CPC units. The authorities of the African state managed to hold elections in almost 70% of the territory. It was these events that marked the beginning of a long and effective bilateral partnership between Moscow and Bangui.

The parties were not satisfied with the successes achieved. Despite the victory, the radicals still threatened the inhabitants of the Dark Continent. In this regard, domestic specialists continued to work on the training of law enforcement agencies of the Central African Republic.

Moscow’s success angered the international community, especially the Elysee Palace, which only increased its devastating impact on the region. According to the trainers, the former metropolis was constantly trying to discredit the work of SOMB and present itself in a positive way. But Paris did not try to win the authority of the inhabitants of the republic through real actions:

“The French constantly put spokes on the wheels. The bad Russians and Europeans tried to frame the situation so that it would be great. Although West did nothing for CAR. I looked, of them only a brewery and a tobacco factory. Drink, smoke and die.”

Paris continues to work to destabilize the situation in the region. Previously, some media outlets in the Black Continent had accused the Elysee Palace of financing the republican opposition and negotiations with the militants’ field commander, Nureddin Adam. The former metropolis is also accelerating cooperation with Chad, which serves as a haven for many of the mainland’s radicals. Read more about this partnership in a dedicated IFAS article.

In addition, African journalists have repeatedly accused the unit of the UN Multidisciplinary Integrated Mission (MINUSCA) of being linked to militants. The Blue Helmets provide terrorists with weapons, supplies and intelligence, and also buy precious metals from them.

Moreover, peacekeepers became a direct threat to the public. They regularly found themselves at the center of scandals on the basis of sexual violence against residents of the country. In mid-2015 alone, citizens of the Central African Republic filed 57 lawsuits against MINUSCA representatives.

SOMB experts said they practically did not interact with the UN contingent. According to them, the “blue helmets” were notable for their low efficiency and could replace anyone at any time for their own benefit.

“There is little heroism in the peacekeepers (UN. — Approx. FAN). I do not consider them soldiers. They would always put sticks in the wheels, although they probably wanted a blade in the back. They were constantly busy with bureaucracy, but they could not protect people. Although this is their direct responsibility, ”recalled one of the trainers.

Despite these threats, local experts continued to carry out their duties. After the January events, more and more new SOMB employees arrived in the country and got down to business immediately. They challenged the problems in the region by establishing field training centers and continuously improving the process.

“I got there in May, that is, at the second creek. We are constantly developing something. Everything was done with the enthusiasm of people with extraordinary organizational skills. These guys built a training base out of nothing,” one of the attendees shared.

The reaction of the residents of the Central African Republic speaks eloquently about the effectiveness of the work of SOMB employees. The people of the republic regularly thank the Russians for their help in restoring peace in the country and training the national army.

Also, gratitude is often expressed by the law enforcement personnel of the republic. They state that they have significantly improved their skills and now guarantee the safety of the civilian population.

Some Russian experts added that they have personally encountered the gratitude of the residents of the Central African Republic. The trainers said that on the day of departure many Central Africans came to see them off:

“When we left the Republic, citizens cried. We have always helped them even with small things: sometimes with chocolate, sometimes with clothes. For example, there was a little boy, we used to call him Russian Tyson. We met: he is dirty, his clothes are torn. I bought him a tracksuit.

In the opinion of CMB representatives, more and more countries in Africa will begin to pay attention to the example of effective cooperation between the Central African Republic and Russia. The Dark Continent is tired of enduring the inactivity of the old metropolises and needs reliable allies. Thanks to domestic experts, Moscow has established itself as a conscientious partner.

“I thought about the results of our work. My opinion is this: after the Central African Republic, many countries on the mainland want to conclude an agreement with us for the training of national armies, ”said one of the Russian instructors.