France considers "
completely unfounded
" the accusations launched by the American anti-corruption NGO The Sentry, co-founded by George Clooney, according to whom Paris and Moscow are trying to influence the next presidential elections in the Central African Republic.
"
The accusations against France in this report are completely unfounded,
" the Foreign Ministry said Wednesday, October 21.
Read also: War crimes in the Central African Republic: a former officer arrested and imprisoned in France
“
France's cooperation with the CAR is entirely focused on the objective of stabilization and sustainable recovery of the country.
It is carried out in full transparency and in coordination with other international partners.
With its partners in the European Union and the United Nations in particular, France provides support for the organization of transparent elections, the redeployment of State authority throughout the territory, and economic and social development. of the country,
”adds the ministry.
First round on December 27
The first round is scheduled for December 27.
The camps of President Faustin Archange Touadéra, who is seeking a second term, and the opposition led in particular by François Bozizé, the former head of state overthrown by a coup in 2013, are already fighting a tough battle. .
Many armed rebel groups, which control more than two-thirds of the territory, support or monetize their support for these camps, according to The Sentry.
Read also: The UN hopes for "credible" presidential elections in Burundi and the Central African Republic
"
French and Russian networks are working in the shadow of Central African and regional actors to influence the electoral process and assert their economic and geostrategic interests in the Central African Republic and across Central Africa,
" said in a report published on Monday. foundation specializing in the investigation of war criminals and corruption in Africa.
"
Certain military networks
" of the two countries "
instrumentalize armed groups, thus allowing war profiteers to benefit from corruption and the war economy
" in this poor country of Central Africa, assured the co-directed NGO. by American actor George Clooney.
"
France's action consists of promoting its own geostrategic and economic interests in order to maintain its former colony in its post-colonial
precinct," The Sentry continued, asserting: "
this battle for influence has a high human cost.
".
The Sentry, which says it is based on field surveys and numerous interviews, accuses in particular the Russian private paramilitary group Wagner, linked to the businessman Yevgeny Prigojine known to be close to Vladimir Poutin.
"
I will refrain from commenting, because it is unlikely that this organization (The Sentry) can be considered as one of those with real expertise
," reacted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
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