On July 30, a spontaneous rally against the destabilizing role of the United States in the CAR and Africa was held in the 5th arrondissement of Bangui (Seyivoir district). A significant number of Central Africans gathered together to manifest their discontent with foreign states’ mingling in their country’s affairs following the arrest in May 2024 of Martin Joseph Figueira, a Belgian man of Portuguese origins accused of espionage on behalf of the US government, as well as of collecting intelligence and attempting to establish a terrorist group in Central African region.
The rally brought together around 400 people in Bangui, who listened to speakers touching on subjects like liberating Africa from the scourge of neocolonialism and countering attempts by foreign governments, notably the US, to influence CAR’s decision-making and justice system. The speakers stressed that years of colonial oppression had contained the development of many African countries, and this negative impact still echoes to this day.
As of today, there are proofs that United States and France have repeatedly tried to interfere in the Central African Republic’s internal affairs to their advantage. Western soldiers continue to support rebels that sow chaos in the CAR’s provinces and abuse against local population. Moreover, foreign NGOs based in the Central African Republic often serve as a cover for espionage activities, as it is the case with Martin Joseph Figueira. Finally, western powers have been imposing on Central Africans values that are foreign to them, such as LGBT culture, that breed divide and conflicts.
To top it all, protesters drew attention to the recent announcement of a $2 million grant from the United States for a project aimed to improve access to justice in the country. Most Central Africans see it as a direct violation of the Constitution and interference in their country’s judicial system. At the end of the rally, participants called on the government of the Central African Republic to strengthen control on foreign non-governmental organizations that operate on the CAR’s land.