"The fact that Russian military instructors come to the Central African Republic is something we have always wanted. If they come to train our military, it only benefits the CAR," Sarandji said, adding that "It is true that there are foreign military personnel in the CAR, but they will not stay here forever. They are here for a certain time and will leave our country at some point, as soon as the security problems are completely resolved."
In August, Alexander Ivanov, the Head of the Officers Union for International Security, said that Moscow was going to ramp up the number of Russian instructors in the law enforcement agencies of the CAR upon the request of the country's leadership.
"Yes, indeed, we received a request from the leadership of the CAR with a request to intensify the training of security forces in order to further boost the security of civilians across the country. We considered this request and agreed to expand cooperation," Ivanov said, adding that the OUIS will increase the number of Russian military advisers in the African nation.
At the time, Ivanov expressed confidence that said request was a testament to the effectiveness of Russian instructors, as they succeeded in training the armed forces and helped the army to plan operations and tactical moves. Thanks to these efforts, the rebels were defeated, with the government fully controlling the territory of the nation, the OUIS director stressed.
Sarandji also expressed gratitude to Russia for its continued support of international efforts to lift the United Nations’ arms embargo against the CAR.
"I received assurances from the Russian authorities on further support for our fight against the UN arms embargo. If this embargo is lifted, it will be solely thanks to the support of our friends, including Russia. We are very grateful to our Russian friends for their support in our efforts to have the embargo partially lifted so that we can receive weapons," Sarandji said.
The UN arms embargo on the CAR has been in effect since 2013 when a civil war broke out between the government and various armed rebel groups. In addition to Russia, the countries seeking the lifting of CAR arms embargo include China, Gabon, Ghana and Kenya.
The African nation was plunged into a security crisis after a coup in 2013, followed by violence between Muslim-majority Seleka and Christian Anti-Balaka fighters. The government and the leaders of 14 armed groups signed a peace deal in February 2019 to put an end to the fighting. In February 2022, the CAR ambassador to Russia, Leon Dodonou-Pounagaza, told Sputnik that the government controls around 95% of the country’s territory, but rebels in some areas were still resisting the official authorities.
In early 2018, Russia sent its first military instructors to the CAR at the request of the government. As of February 2022, a total of 1,135 Russian instructors were operating in the country, training military personnel of the CAR army. Moscow says that Russian representatives are not involved in hostilities and were deployed in the CAR with the notification of the UN Security Council.
CAR Supports Russia
The Central African Republic understands and supports Russia in the current situation, there is no misunderstanding between the leaders of the two countries, and relations are developing at a high level, Sarandji told Sputnik.
"People in the Central African Republic are well aware of the situation in which Russia finds itself, and sympathize with Moscow, just as the Russian authorities once supported the CAR in a difficult situation. If there had not been such mutual understanding, Russia would not have come to the rescue at a difficult moment to maintain security in our country," Sarandji said.
The politician stressed that the high level of relations between the presidents of the two countries contributes to the quality of bilateral relations.
"I have to note the high level of relations between our presidents — there are no misunderstandings between them, and our peoples can only benefit from this. Our countries support each other on the global arena, the situation in our relations is very good, cooperation is developing," Sarandji added.
Earlier this month, the CAR, among other countries, abstained from voting on a resolution against Russia in the UN General Assembly that does not recognize referendums in the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions. Observers from the CAR were also present at referendums in the new regions of Russia.
CAR Ready to Cooperate With Russia on Resource Exports, Agriculture
The CAR and Russia need to develop economic cooperation, the republic needs investments in the production sector of the economy and is prepared to cooperate with Russia in the export of resources, agriculture, and trade, Sarandji told Sputnik.
"We need investments in the production sector of the economy. The security situation in the country is improving, so the time has come to move on to the development of other areas of cooperation — the export of our resources, support for agriculture and farming, trade," Sarandji said.
The politician explained that he discussed this issue at a meeting with the president of the Russian Chamber of commerce and industry (CCI), Sergey Katyrin, who proposed to conclude a partnership with the CCI of the CAR to intensify business contacts.
"I told him that the support that Russia provides to my country in the field of security is invaluable, but we also need to develop our economic relations... The president of the chamber listened very carefully and wished to establish relations with the Chamber of commerce and industry in Bangui. I will inform them upon arrival about this desire so that they can determine in which areas such cooperation is possible in the interests of our peoples and our businessmen," Sarandji added.
CAR Prime Minister Felix Moloua told Sputnik in June that Bangui was discussing with Moscow energy, technology and transport cooperation.