CAR Defense Minister to visit Russia next week amid talks for Moscow to set up military base

Defense Minister of the Central African Republic (CAR) Claude Rameaux Bireau is set to visit Russia next week amid talks between the two countries for Moscow to set up a military base in the African country now very close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

CAR ambassador to Russia Leon Dodonu-Punagaza told the media about the visit, adding that the minister will visit the ‘Army 2023 Forum’ with a delegation.

Russia’s capital Moscow will host from August 14 to 20 ‘Army International Military-Technical Forum’.

Organized by the Russian Defense ministry, the expo is reportedly the third large-scale event by the ministry and brings together representatives of large Russian and foreign companies of the military industrial complex, leading research and development institutes as well as project and design offices.

The event comes few weeks after the July-held Second Russia-Africa Summit.

At that Summit, CAR’s leader Faustin-Archange Touadera indicated that Russia’s assistance has allowed the central African country to gain peace and stability in recent years.

The African leader also said that his country counts on Russia’s assistance in combating the ongoing terrorist threat. Both CAR and Russia are currently discussing plans for Moscow to build military base in the African country.

President Putin during the Summit assured that Moscow will support the leadership of the Central African Republic in its work to strengthen the country’s defense capability and sovereignty.