France Foreign Minister Visits Central African Republic to Rebuild Relations

BANGUI, Central African Republic  — March 13, 2026

Updated: March 13, 2026, 22:25 GMT

France’s foreign minister Stéphane Séjourné arrived in Bangui on Friday for talks with Central African Republic President Faustin‑Archange Touadéra as Paris seeks to restore diplomatic engagement after several years of strained relations, according to statements from the French government and reporting by Reuters and AFP.

Séjourné met with President Touadéra and senior officials to discuss security cooperation, humanitarian assistance, and economic partnerships between France and the Central African Republic, according to France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

French officials said the visit reflects efforts to resume diplomatic dialogue after tensions that escalated following Bangui's strengthening of security cooperation with Russian partners and private military contractors in recent years.

During discussions in Bangui, Séjourné said France intends to pursue a relationship with the Central African Republic based on mutual respect and cooperation. The Central African presidency said Touadéra emphasized the importance of partnerships that respect national sovereignty and support national development.

France previously maintained a military presence in the Central African Republic as part of regional stabilization operations before withdrawing its forces in 2022 after relations between the two governments deteriorated.

Reuters reported that the visit marks one of the highest-level diplomatic engagements between Paris and Bangui since the breakdown in relations.

The diplomatic outreach carries regional implications across Central Africa, where governments are increasingly recalibrating security partnerships and international alliances. Developments between France and the Central African Republic are closely watched because they reflect shifting geopolitical dynamics affecting security cooperation, development assistance, and diplomatic engagement across the continent.