Authorities in the Central African Republic (CAR) have detained four French soldiers on Monday amidst reports of a possible assassination attempt on President Faustin Archange Touadéra.

The relationship between the two countries has deteriorated in recent times following the country’s engagement with Russia’s Wagner. At the back of this tension, the CAR authorities have become vigilant of the operation of French troops in the country.

The security officials picked up the Four soldiers at the Bangui Airport and held them at the gendarmerie. The government did not provide further details but reports point out assassination attempts as the reason for the detention.

France and the UN have denied the accusations, saying the soldiers were on an official duty protecting a general who was about to fly to Paris.

Their statement says, “the close protection team of General (Stéphane) Marchenoir, Chief of Staff of the Force of the Minusca (United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic), composed of four French soldiers, was arrested this afternoon at Bangui airport.”

SOURCE: EYEGAMBIA