Britain accuses Russia of planning to interfere in upcoming Central African Republic elections
Britain accused Russia of planning to interfere in upcoming elections in the Central African Republic, and the U.S. alleged that Moscow was seeking to steal the gold and diamond-rich country’s resources.
UNITED NATIONS — Britain accused Russia on Thursday of planning to interfere in upcoming elections in the Central African Republic, and the U.S. alleged that Moscow was seeking to steal the gold and diamond-rich country’s resources.
Russia’s deputy United Nations ambassador Anna Evstigneeva responded by telling the U.N. Security Council, “It is surprising that our U.S. and U.K. colleagues continue whipping the dead horse of their campaign to smear the Russian Federation.”
Central African Republic, known as CAR, has been in conflict since 2013, when predominantly Muslim rebels seized power and forced then-President François Bozizé from office.
It is one of the first African countries in which Kremlin-backed Wagner mercenaries established their operations on the pledge of fighting rebel groups and bringing back peace — and Moscow’s government and military ties have grown.
U.N. special envoy for CAR Valentine Rugwabiza told the council that upcoming local, legislative and presidential elections are “a significant opportunity” to extend state authority, lay the foundation for decentralized governance and contribute to addressing the root causes of recurring conflict in CAR.
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