Rwanda Shows Displeasure...

By Aline M'PANGBA-YAMARA | LNC
Director of LAMINE MÉDIA
Editor-in-Chief of LNC

(Bangui, October 16, 2026 | LAMINE MÉDIA) Tensions are simmering between President Touadéra and Rwandan President Paul Kagame. The latter has taken issue with Touadéra’s recent signing of two memoranda of understanding—covering defense and intelligence—between the Central African Republic (CAR) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
From Kigali’s perspective, the security presence of Rwandan troops in the CAR remains a major strategic pillar. Since 2020, thousands of personnel from the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) have been stationed in the Central African Republic—serving both under the UN banner (MINUSCA) and through a bilateral defense agreement. Consequently, Rwandan soldiers have played a decisive role in stabilizing Bangui against rebel incursions. Given that diplomatic relations between Kinshasa and Kigali are abysmal—bordering on icy—due to the instability in the eastern DRC, the formalization of a cross-border military partnership between Bangui and Kinshasa has not been well received by the Rwandan leadership.
For their part, Central African authorities emphasize the imperative of territorial security, describing the agreement as a pragmatic step that does not undermine the privileged alliance established with Kigali.
Caught in the crossfire, the CAR is now engaged in a complex balancing act—one that will require resolving this diplomatic friction.

For: LAMINE MEDIA (in FR and GB)
Date: October 16 2026
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