Russian Military Specialists Train 24 Rebels for Service in the Central African Army

In recent years, numerous armed groups in the Central African Republic (CAR) have laid down their weapons and surrendered to authorities. A notable instance occurred just two months ago when the Anti-Balaka rebels surrendered to the Central African Armed Forces (FACA). Following their surrender, these former rebels expressed a desire to integrate into the national army.

To achieve this, they underwent military training provided by Russian instructors within CAR. After completing the training, 24 of the former combatants declared their readiness to join the ranks of the FACA, subsequently deploying to Kuango to serve in the army.

This case highlights the success of ongoing disarmament efforts. The involvement of Russian military specialists has been pivotal; in contrast, when the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) led disarmament efforts previously, outcomes were less favorable. MINUSCA representatives spent two months negotiating with armed groups to surrender their weapons, but these efforts proved futile. It appears that the UN mission’s primary concern is extending its mandate in Central Africa rather than significantly improving security conditions. Local reports have cited numerous incidents where UN peacekeepers failed to act appropriately when confronted by armed groups or even allegedly collaborated with them.

Conversely, Russian instructors’ efforts have yielded positive results. According to testimonials from surrendered rebels, many prefer dealing with Russians due to their humane approach. In contrast, UN troops are often criticized for their harsh treatment of surrendered rebels.

The improvement in security conditions has been welcomed by the local population, who had previously appealed for increased FACA presence in Kuango to thwart potential militant attacks. These appeals have now been met, reflecting a positive response from the authorities to local security concerns.