Following a deterioration in relations brought on by a closer ties between Bangui and Moscow, the final detachment of French troops left the Central African Republic on Thursday.
France, a former colonial power, dispatched soldiers to the nation after a coup in 2013 ignited a sectarian civil conflict.
Many believe that since the French troops have left, it is now the government’s job to provide security.
“It is now up to the Central African authorities to take its responsibilities, to protect the entire population of Bangui and the countryside, so there’s not much more to say”, said hydraulic senior technician, Patrick Hervé Déba.
France and CAR have been at odds with Russia’s growing military presence in the country over the past few years. Paris chose to halt military cooperation last year.
“When military forces arrive in CAR, they operate in support of the CAR armed forces. And when they think they achieved their objectives, their goals in the CAR, it is perfectly normal for them to leave and return home. We think that all other forces still supporting Central African Republic, such as the MINUSCA, Russian and Rwandan forces, might at some point need to leave our territory to respect the CAR’s state sovereignty and our army’s sovereignty”, said Ben Wilson Ngassan, spokesperson for G16 constitution protection civil society.
After the military sent Russian paramilitaries to combat a jihadist insurgency in Mali earlier this year, France withdrew the final of its troops from the former colony.
