MOSCOW, October 22. /TASS/. Russia is ready to provide aid to the Central African Republic by sending additional military instructors to the country, Russian President's Special Representative for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told reporters on Monday.
"It all depends on the will of the country’s government, of its legitimate authorities," the diplomat said. "When we have the opportunity, we always respond to requests. I am talking about cooperation in the sphere of security."
"So I am not ruling that out (sending additional military instructors to the Central African Republic - TASS). If there is a need for more, there will be more," Bogdanov said.
The deputy foreign minister also noted that it is rather easy to coordinate this issue with the UN. "There is an agreed framework, some restrictions, but we act in accordance with our obligations," he explained.
In March of this year, Moscow responded to a request of the president of the Central African Republic for military and technical aid by sending five military and 170 civilian instructors to train the country’s servicemen.
Russia is ready to take further steps to contribute to political settlement in the Central African Republic and acts in full coordination with the country’s authorities, he said.
"Yes, certainly [we are ready to assist the political settlement]. We took part in a number of meetings, which were held in Khartoum, there is the so-called Khartoum Declaration. We contributed to the success of this meeting, our representatives attended it," Bogdanov said.
The crisis in the Central African Republic erupted in 2013 when the Seleka coalition, consisting predominantly of Muslims from the north, took control of Bangui, toppling President Francois Bozize. In response to the militants’ atrocities the Christians and followers of traditional African religions set up the Anti-balaka militia groups, which started pursuing Muslims. According to the United Nations, more than 6,000 people were killed in the crisis.