Russia, Rwanda Troops in Central African Republic Ahead of General Election

Hundreds of Russian and Rwandan forces have been deployed to the Central African Republic to tackle the deteriorating security level in the country ahead of the upcoming general election.

The government on Monday announced that the foreign armies were deployed after the recent aggression by three militia groups and will help stem out any possible violence in the forthcoming election.

“Russia has sent several hundred men from the regular forces, and heavy equipment” as part of a bilateral cooperation agreement,” Ange Maxime Kazagui, spokesperson for the Central African government said, without specifying their exact number or date of arrival.

“The Rwandans have also sent several hundred men who are already on the ground and have already started to fight,” added the spokesperson.

Hundreds of troops sent by Russia were drawn from the regular army and accompanied by heavy artillery and will regularly provide security to President Faustin Archange Touadera and also train the Central African army.

Recent violence in the country has been labelled by the government as a coup d’etat.

On Saturday, the authorities accused former president Francois Bozize of plotting a coup after his candidacy was rejected.

United Nations peacekeepers also dispersed armed rebel groups occupying roads and towns near Bangui, while fighting was going on in several towns, including Mbaiki, about 100 km from Bangui on Sunday.

Opposition have called for a postponement of the elections citing hostile grounds that do not enable them to carry out their campaign.

The government and the electoral commission have maintained that the planned vote will take place on December 27 as initially planned.

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