President Faustin Touadera of the Central African Republic (CAR) says the country continues to count on Russia’s assistance in major areas of cooperation, including security.
Touadera, who recently won re-election in the gold- and diamond-rich nation, was responding to questions on the rumoured planned withdrawal of Russian military instructors and defence equipment from the C.A.R.
Touadera remarked that he has so far not been officially informed of the situation and he does not think so.
“Knowing the situation, we, therefore, call on the Russian Federation to continue to support us in the field of security, and many others.”
Earlier this week, reports citing Russian diplomats claimed the European country was pulling its defence forces from the country. C.A.R was recently rocked by several targeted attacks on UN peacekeepers, including the latest ambush which occurred on Monday.
Touadera states that his cabinet would carry on with the previously started schemes for security and peace, as well as launch several infrastructure and energy projects, and enhance agriculture in his second term in office.
The C.A.R’s top court confirmed Touadera’s victory in the on Dec. 27 presidential election on Monday.