Reports of plans of US private security company Bancroft Global Development to start operating in the CAR had no effect on the cooperation of Bangui with Russian military instructors, Russian Ambassador to the CAR Alexander Bikantov has told Sputnik.
"Information in media about the beginning of the activities of American PMCs [private military companies] in the CAR had no effect on cooperation with Russian military instructors," the ambassador said.
Bikantov said "the CAR authorities appreciate the contribution of the Russians to stabilizing the security situation in the country," adding that "Bangui has spoken out in favor of increasing the number of Russian representatives at different times."
Last summer, a senior diplomat said there were 1,890 Russian military instructors in the CAR at the time.
Bikantov continued by saying that the number of Russian troops and the time of their arrival at a base that is being established in the CAR are still unknown, as the place for their deployment is still being selected.
The question of the establishment of a Russian military base in the African country is being discussed by the defense ministries, the ambassador said.
"At the moment, a place for the deployment of Russian servicepeople is being selected," he said, adding that "specific dates for the arrival of the contingent and its number have not yet been determined."
The ambassador emphasized that "the establishment of a Russian military base in the territory of the CAR will improve the security situation in the CAR and strengthen the foundation for the protection of the country's national sovereignty."