Jean-Noël Barrot arrived in Bangui on Friday for the first high-level French visit to the country in eight years, declaring a full restoration of relations between France and the Central African Republic.
Barrot made the remarks after meeting President Faustin-Archange Touadéra.
“This is the first time in eight years that a foreign minister is here in Bangui.
“My visit marks the full restoration of relations between our two countries following a period of tension, brief in the context of our shared history,” Barrot said.
Paris and Bangui relaunched diplomatic ties in April 2024 after relations deteriorated amid Moscow’s expanding influence in the mineral-rich country of about 5.3 million people.
Barrot’s visit comes just days after Touadéra returned from a week-long trip to Moscow, where he held talks with Vladimir Putin.
Touadéra has increasingly relied on mercenaries linked to the Wagner Group, which has secured lucrative contracts in the country’s gold, diamond and logging sectors in exchange for security support.
Touadéra, now serving his third term after first taking power in 2016 during a period of civil conflict, said the security situation had improved but remained fragile.
Barrot said a two-year roadmap aimed at stabilising the country and boosting economic development was already “having a significant impact,” adding that France stands “shoulder to shoulder” with the Central African Republic in its efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability.
Africanews