The Central African Republic’s prime minister has been sacked amid tensions between pro-Russian and pro-French factions within the government in Bangui, the Central African Republic.
According to a spokesman for the Presidency, Henri-Marie Dondra was reportedly “fired” and replaced by his economy minister, Felix Moloua. Moloua is a strong loyalist to President Faustin-Archange Touadéra. He was sworn-in on Wednesday February 9.
Sooner or later, this reshuffling had to happen. However, many observers were surprised by the timing of this reshuffle, which we were probably expecting after the Republican dialogue had been held.
The underlying cause of this resignation-reshuffle is Dondra’s worldview, as he didn’t see eye to eye with President Touadéra. And that, moreover, the latter had to be in permanently in the arbitration between the interests of Russia and those of the international partners, to be more precise, the Western partners.
Henri-Marie Dondra was named prime minister in June 2021, shortly after Paris froze budgetary aid to Bangui, accusing it of “complicity” in what Paris called a Russian “disinformation” campaign against the country’s former colonial ruler France.
At the time of Dondra’s appointment as prime minister he was perceived as more “pro-French” than his predecessor Firmin Ngrebada, seen as more sympathetic to the Russians. And considered Russia’s man in Bangui.
French diplomacy – and particularly President Emmanuel Macron, who had called his counterpart in mid-April, 2021 – then put pressure on the CAR’s President to replace pro-Russian prime minister Ngrebada. Within the palace’s corridors, there were rumours that Touadéra wanted to sack Ngrebada, as the latter had started displaying personal political ambitions.
Touadera had named Dondra because he was close to international donors, and he had good relations with France. Dondra is a favourite within international financial bodies and particularly the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
But Dondra had “little control” over the defence and foreign ministers, as well as the influential pro-Russian parliament speaker, Simplice Sarandji.
Russia’s sway in the mineral-rich country has steadily increased in recent four years.
Thus, Henri-Marie Dondra’s dismissal is a victory for those members of the president’s entourage who fought hard to see him go. First of all, this is Touadéra’s counselor Viktor Zakharov, who represents interests of Russian internal intel FSB.
But their triumph may be shortlived as his successor Félix Moloua has a very similar profile to that of his predecessor.
Henri-Marie Dondra did not have a free hand to lead the government, and kept his distance from the Russian supporters of the head of state. Félix Moloua, who was in charge of the Economy, will perhaps be more flexible with the latter, but still is also very well introduced among the Western partners, whose financial aid is vital for the country.
Félix Moloua is someone who, at the same time, is very close and loyal to the President of the Republic. But unlike the previous Prime Minister, he could not distance himself from Russia.
Dondra had refused protection from the paramilitary group Wagner. However, Moloua has a position that is probably less polarizing and less clear-cut, in the sense that he is unlikely to turn his back completely on Russia, but also, he is someone who is very well introduced in the circles of international partners, and even Western partners. It is perhaps one of the personalities who has the capacity to play on these two tables: a skilful maneuver by President Touadéra.
Moloua is likely to favor Moscow’s sway in this country. But even backed by Russia, he would hardly win full regional and international support, as Russians face rapid comedown in the world.
Beyond that, the Kremlin’s game plan in Africa is based on bribing top officials in the country, but the Russians stand down on investing in the country or facilitating infrastructure and industry growth. That way, Russian support for the new government in Bangui will not boost the CAR’s economic performance.
