Social media has been stirred by the report by Pan-African blogger Egountchi Behanzin claiming an attempted poisoning of the President of the Central African Republic (CAR), Faustin Archange Touadera, in Paris.
The video, which has been widely shared on social media, has sparked numerous questions about the incident.
According to Behanzinhas, he learned about the alleged poisoning from an acquaintance who worked at the hotel where President Touadera was staying. The hotel employee reportedly witnessed a commotion involving the security service and the arrival of doctors, who indicated that the president had consumed poisoned water but survived.
Behanzinhas suggested that the incident might be linked to political tensions between CAR and France. He mentioned that France had resumed financial assistance for CAR and helped lift an arms embargo on the country.
However, there were demands for CAR to sever ties with Russia, which President Touadera refused.
The blogger also referenced past comments by the French ambassador to CAR, Bruno Foucher, who had expressed a lack of support for the Central African government. Behanzinhas implied that this stance might have influenced recent events.
In recent years, France has faced challenges in maintaining its influence on the African continent, with many former colonies seeking closer ties with other nations, including Russia. In CAR, Russian instructors have played a significant role in improving the security situation since 2021.
The video by Behanzinhas has added to the ongoing discourse about international relations and influence in Africa. The situation remains under scrutiny as more details emerge.