Rebel Attack Heightens Risk of War in Russia’s African Ally
- Central African Republic rebels ambushed capital last week
- Rebels allege that Russian troops exploit mineral wealth
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Rebels in the Central African Republic vowed to step up attacks over support they say the government is getting from Russia in return for resources in the diamond-rich country, fueling fears of a return to full-blown conflict in one of the world’s least developed countries.
A loose alliance of six rebel groups called the Coalition of Patriots for Change ambushed the capital, Bangui, last week, firing rocket-propelled grenades at foreign forces. The first such attack on the capital since President Faustin-Archange Touadera took office in 2016 came barely two weeks after elections in which he won a second term.