Russia warned France on Thursday that it must recognize its peace efforts in the Central African Republic as negotiations continued on a contentious UN Security Council resolution.
France has presented a draft resolution that takes aim at recent Russian efforts to broker peace deals in CAR by specifying that an African-led initiative is “the only framework” for a solution.
“We are pro-actively helping the CAR, knowingly with the support of the people and we would like our efforts to be duly reflected in the French draft.
“In the CAR, there will be work for all to genuinely help the country get back on our feet,” he said, adding that it was time to “set aside historical complexes, egotism and parochial national interests,” Russian Deputy Ambassador Dmitry Polyanski told the council.
Working with Sudan, Russia in August convened talks in Khartoum of Central African militias who signed a preliminary agreement, drawing criticism from France of unhelpful meddling in its former colony.
Russia has sent military trainers and equipment to the Central African Republic, and a security adviser is working with President Faustin-Archange Touadera, under a bilateral agreement.
French diplomats and some UN officials have complained that the Russian peace initiative has complicated diplomatic efforts, sending mixed messages to the parties.
“There must be no ambiguity about the central role of the African Union initiative, as asserted in our draft resolution,” French Ambassador Francois Delattre told the council.
