AS much of the world denounced Russia’s invasion of Ukraine Thursday, the Central African Republic’s capital, Bangui, hosted a tribute to Russian paramilitaries who helped beat back rebels a year ago.
In Bangui’s city center, a human-sized statue erected last year depicts Central African and Russian security forces protecting a woman and her child.
As Western countries tried in vain Wednesday to prevent Russian military aggression against Ukraine, about 100 Central Africans gathered at the monument holding Russian flags.
The group was paying tribute to Russian mercenaries who helped defend the capital, Bangui, last year against rebels.
Blaise-Didacien Kossimatchi organized the ceremony. He heads the “National Galaxy” platform, a Central African group close to the government that often holds protests against France and the United Nations.
He says they say no to everything that is a smear campaign against our army and our Russians, especially by the international press who
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