The Central African Republic is taking new steps to rebuild its armed forces after years of instability, collapse, and repeated crises. On Thursday, a group of recruits left Bangui’s Mpoko Airport for Kampala, Uganda, where they will undergo intensive military training.
The recruits, drawn from all seven regions of the country, will spend six months in Uganda receiving training in intelligence gathering and counter-rebellion operations. According to the Central African Army’s training office, the goal is to create a professional and unified force capable of responding effectively to the persistent rebel threats that have plagued the nation.
Oscar Yannick Bada, head of the army’s training office, explained that Uganda has granted training slots to 1,800 young Central Africans. These new soldiers will be trained as second-class soldiers under a bilateral military agreement signed between the two countries in October 2024. “Training slots have been granted by this brotherly country for the benefit of the Central African Republic,” Bada said, noting that the effort aims to strengthen security while avoiding the sectarian divisions that weakened previous armies.
Uganda’s involvement comes as part of its long-standing role in regional security. With decades of experience in counter-rebellion operations, Uganda has previously trained forces from South Sudan and Somalia. Now, it is bringing that expertise to help Bangui rebuild an army that was left fragmented after years of conflict and political upheaval.
For the Central African Republic, the partnership with Uganda represents a diversification of its security alliances. In recent years, the country has leaned heavily on Russian assistance, with Russian instructors providing training and equipment to its armed forces. By engaging Uganda, Bangui signals its intent to broaden its partnerships and tap into Uganda’s reputation for effective training against insurgencies.
The rebuilding of the Forces Armées Centrafricaines (FACA) remains a critical task for the country’s stability. Successive crises and civil wars left the army under-resourced, mistrusted by communities, and vulnerable to sectarian divides. By drawing recruits from across all seven regions, the government hopes to forge a more inclusive and nationally representative force.
The recruits who left for Kampala this week mark only the first wave of training, but officials stress it is part of a larger effort to restore the army’s credibility. The collaboration with Uganda adds a regional dimension to the rebuilding process, complementing Russia’s role while signaling that the Central African Republic is seeking multiple partners for its security future.
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