The United Hearts Movement (MCU), the ruling party of Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, has entered into a cooperation agreement with United Russia, the political party of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The agreement signed remotely on Monday, signifies a strengthening of the partnership between Bangui and Moscow.
The announcement followed President Touadéra’s return from a three-day official visit to Russia.
Andrei Klimov, a senior member of United Russia and a Russian senator who is under Western sanctions for his support of the invasion of Ukraine, represented the Russian side from Moscow.
In Bangui, Simplice Mathieu Sarandji, a long-time ally of President Touadéra and the executive secretary of MCU, signed the agreement. Sarandji, who also serves as the president of the National Assembly, wore a ceremonial scarf with the president’s image draped over his shoulders during the signing.
Russian officials, including Ambassador Alexandre Bikantov, Consul Vladislav Ilin, and Dimitri Sityi, director of the Russian House in Bangui, were present to witness the event. Sityi, a key figure in Wagner Group’s local operations, oversees economic and informational activities in the country.
The Russian Embassy described the agreement as a step toward “new horizons” in cooperation, aiming to deepen ties between the two parties through joint projects and legislative exchanges.
The timing of the agreement is notable. It follows President Touadéra’s visit to Moscow and aligns with the early mobilization of his political supporters ahead of the presidential election scheduled for the end of the year.
However, critics of the government have expressed concerns about the deal’s implications. Opposition leader Crépin Mboli-Goumba voiced alarm, stating, “The MCU wants to mimic United Russia—sprawling, oppressive, blending with state institutions and the judiciary, and silencing any dissent.”
This partnership underscores the growing closeness between the Central African Republic and Russia, raising questions about its potential impact on the country’s political landscape.e country’s political landscape and sovereignty.
