Russia asks UN permission to send arms to CAR despite embargo

MOSCOW: The UN Security Council is to decide whether a request by Russia to supply light arms and ammunition to the Central African Republic from next week, despite the arms embargo, can proceed, Kenya’s Daily Nation reports.

The embargo was imposed in 2013 following the country’s plummeting into violence.

Moscow’s request followed a plea by CAR President Faustin-Archange Touadéra to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov for the military assistance during talks at the Black Sea resort of Sochi in October.

France, however, has expressed alarm and questioned Russia’s plan notably over the storage of the weaponry, according to a Security Council diplomat who declined to be named.

The military assistance would include two battalions totalling 1 300 men – who recently received training by the EU — being armed with automatic rifles, pistols and ammunition.

Among the weapons on a proposed list are 900 pistols, 5 200 assault rifles, 140 sniper rifles, 840 Kalashnikov machine guns, 270 RPGs and 20 anti-aircraft guns.

Moscow is also considering providing ammunition including armour-piercing cartridges, hand grenades and mortars, the document said.

The first shipments will begin on Monday next week if no objections at the Security Council are raised.

A further two shipments are scheduled for February 1 and April 1.

France’s concerns are meant to be alleviated by the delivery of the weapons being broken up into three stages.

CAR is battling to return to stability since the country exploded into bloodshed after the 2013 overthrow of long-time leader Francois Bozizé by the mainly Muslim Seleka rebel alliance.

His overthrow led to a backlash by Christian militia with the two groups subsequently clashing and civilians getting caught in the crossfire despite France’s attempt to rid the country of the Seleka alliance. – African News Agency (ANA)