Africa-Press. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot arrived in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, for a two-day visit, marking the first visit by a senior French official in seven years. He was received by his counterpart Sylvie Baïpo-Temon, in a move reflecting Paris’s efforts to revive diplomatic ties with the country after years of strained relations.
The visit comes as part of a French initiative to repair relations with the Central African Republic after Paris’s influence declined there in favor of growing Russian presence. Relations began to thaw in April 2024 when President Emmanuel Macron resumed contacts with his counterpart Faustin-Archange Touadéra.
Barrot is scheduled to meet President Touadéra on Friday, shortly after the latter returned from a week-long visit to Moscow where he met Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Background and significance
The Central African Republic has long faced chronic instability that pushed Touadéra to rely increasingly on fighters from the Russian Wagner Group, who in return secured lucrative contracts in the gold, diamond, and timber sectors. This growing Russian influence has posed a direct challenge to France, the former colonial power, which is now seeking to reassert its presence through diplomacy.
Barrot’s visit carries symbolic significance, reflecting Paris’s desire to regain its position in the heart of Africa at a time when global powers are competing for influence across the continent. It also represents a test of Bangui’s willingness to rebalance its international partnerships after years of security and economic reliance on Moscow.
