Cairo, Egypt – Egypt and the Central African Republic (CAR) have discussed strengthening military cooperation. The talks, held in late June, come as both nations grapple with the fallout from Sudan’s ongoing conflict.
The meeting, initiated by Egypt, focused on exploring joint training programs and assessing the complex security landscape plaguing the region. Specific details remain undisclosed, but Egyptian officials hinted at the possibility of an immediate agreement to bolster CAR’s military capabilities.
A key concern for both countries is the Sudanese crisis. The clash between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has sparked a humanitarian catastrophe and destabilized neighboring regions. The CAR, in particular, faces an influx of refugees fleeing the violence in Darfur.
The potential for a prolonged stalemate in Sudan, with the RSF gaining dominance, worries both Egypt and the CAR. Egypt fears losing an important regional ally in the current Sudanese government, jeopardizing its stance against Ethiopia’s controversial GERD dam project. The CAR, meanwhile, anxieties revolve around its own fragile peace process and the possibility of Sudanese armed groups using its territory as a base, further destabilizing its eastern regions.
The situation is compounded by the presence of over 10,000 Sudanese refugees in the CAR’s Vakaga region. Humanitarian efforts here are hampered by armed militias, further complicating the already dire situation.
This military cooperation discussion follows a similar agreement signed between Egypt and South Sudan earlier this year. The UN, however, has taken a more cautious approach with the CAR, recently extending its arms embargo while permitting some weapons supplies to government forces.
