Abstract
The Central African Republic (CAR) is a country in conflict and despite UN actions, it remains exceedingly violent, unstable and unable to alleviate the conditions that place it at almost the very lowest 2017 Human Development Index ranking. Recently Russia has stepped up to intervene with provisions and training. Draped in a guise of assistance with UN Security Council approval, Russia is fulfilling its own ends. While arms sales increase Putin’s support in the Russian military-industrial complex domestically, training allows for Russian actors to be placed in country. The arming and training CAR’s government forces as well as rebel factions enables Russia to influence all sectors while leveraging these opposing sides to further develop a powerful Russian stronghold in CAR. Russian personnel in CAR, with additional to troops in nearby Sudan, provide state actors to direct activities for Russia’s benefit in rebel controlled areas with great natural resource value. The 2018 diplomatic agreements specifically allow Russia to access CAR’s natural resources and clearly identify Russia’s economic interests in CAR. The impact of controlling CAR’s resources is enhanced by Russian seaport access in Sudan. Combined, internationally approved Russian arms and personnel for training create the means for Russia to exploit CAR’s conflict. Russia gains influence over both the CAR government and rebels, access resources, and builds strategic and logistical strength in CAR as well as on the Red Sea, all, while dynamically balancing Chinese interests in the African continent.
Highlights
Russia has become increasingly involved in the Central African Republic (CAR)
Russia appealed to the UN “to make an exception to its arms embargo on the Central African Republic so that Moscow could send weapons to two EU-trained battalions of its [CAR] military” forces (Korybko, 2017)
Benefits itself, in complying with UN Security Council requests regarding arms imports, as “Russia plans to store them [the arms] in new containers under tight security” with serial numbers “for each unit so that they can be traced in the event that they end up in the wrong hands” (Korybko, 2017)
Summary
Russia has become increasingly involved in the Central African Republic (CAR). In the fall of 2017, the increasing turmoil prompted Russian offers of stability to CAR through arms and training (Losh & Mathews, 2018). International mistrust of Russian motives has increased through Russia’s involvement with the current government in CAR as well as the many rebel groups operating in the area.
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