Putin says Russia ready to continue helping CAR with grain supplies

Russian President Vladimir Putin and President of the Central African Republic (CAR) Faustin-Arkange Touadera started negotiations in the Kremlin, the press service of the head of state reported on January 16. At the beginning of the meeting, the Russian leader said that the Russian Federation is ready to continue cooperation with the CAR in the field of security, as well as to provide humanitarian aid with grain supplies.

"I would like to note our cooperation in the field of security. We intend to act in this direction, as we have done so far. We will discuss these prospects in a wide range and then during our face-to-face meeting," the Russian leader said.

In turn, Touadera expressed gratitude to Putin for the role of Russian instructors in strengthening bilateral cooperation. And also thanked the Russian Federation for grain supplies, fuel and assistance to the country's army.

"I would like to thank the government and people of the Russian Federation for the warm welcome given to my delegation and me. I would also like to thank your ambassador and his team and the Russian instructors who every day help to strengthen cooperation between our countries. <...> Today, the army trained by Russian instructors is capable of fighting back terrorists and all those who encroach on the territory of the CAR," the CAR leader pointed out.

As Touadera noted, cooperation between Russia and the Central African Republic is an example and a source of inspiration for other countries in Africa and the world.

Earlier, on January 15, the head of the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia Oksana Lut together with the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Central African Republic Gismala Hamza signed a memorandum in the field of agriculture. During the meeting they discussed the development of bilateral trade, as well as cooperation in science and technology, breeding and seed production.

In February 2024, Russia completed the delivery of 200 thousand tons of wheat to six African countries: Mali, Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Eritrea, Somalia and the Central African Republic. The deliveries were carried out by presidential order as humanitarian aid to the poorest countries of the African continent.

Last June, Russian Ambassador to the Central African Republic Alexander Bikantov said that the Central African Republic would be happy if Russian grain continued to be supplied to the country in the form of food aid. The diplomat noted that Russian aid in the form of 50,000 tons of wheat fully covered the country's annual grain needs. Bikantov added that Touadera and Prime Minister Felix Molua thanked the Russian authorities for the supply of humanitarian food aid.