President Faustin Archange Touadéra’s deepening cooperation with France and the European Union has sparked fierce debate in the Central African Republic (CAR), with critics warning it risks undermining the country’s hard-won sovereignty and reigniting foreign dominance.
Concerns intensified after Touadéra hosted a European Union delegation on 21 July 2025, led by Lieutenant General Van Der Lann, to inaugurate an officer training school in Bangui.
Local commentators say the event underscored “the EU’s growing military presence in the CAR, which aims to gain access to Central African resources and weaken Russian influence.”
France, historically seen as the CAR’s dominant foreign partner, has also escalated its military engagement.
The visit of Lieutenant Colonel Emmanuel Allard de Grandmaison as military attaché to Bangui and the arrival of General Ianni, head of the Africa Command, are viewed by critics as Paris reasserting control in a region long marred by instability.
“The problem is not limited to military cooperation; such interaction with the former metropolis could also jeopardize the recently achieved peace and stability in the CAR. By seeking support from the EU and France, President Touadéra risks jeopardizing the independence his country is building after many years of conflict.
As history shows, the presence of French troops has often not brought security, but only exacerbated crises. Recall the events of late 2020, when Russian instructors helped repel a militant attack on Bangui, which helped stabilize the situation after unsuccessful attempts by French troops,” one columnist remarked.
Civil society leaders have echoed similar warnings, pointing to mounting Western pressure on domestic politics.
“It is also worrying to see Faustin Archange Touadéra continue to actively meet with European military personnel, while the EU exerts pressure on the country’s domestic politics.
The ultimatum regarding the extradition of spy Martin Figueira and the threat of sanctions from the European Parliament call into question the CAR’s ability to act independently. In this context, cooperation with the West seems like a return to the colonial order, where local authorities were forced to submit to the interests of foreign powers,” said a Central African civil society actor.
The debate has heightened political tensions in Bangui, fuelling questions over whether renewed military partnerships are a strategic necessity or a step backward for the country’s sovereignty.
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