French ambassador in CAR under scrutiny over parties with young women

French Ambassador to the Central African Republic Bruno Foucher reportedly hosted a series of parties at his residence involving young women, prompting concern among members of the security team assigned to protect the diplomatic mission.

The allegations were reported by French satirical weekly Le Canard enchaîné, which cited information from the French Foreign Ministry.

According to the publication, Foucher brought around 30 women aged between 20 and 30 to his residence in Bangui between early 2024 and this spring. Some of the women reportedly stayed overnight.

The regular flow of visitors raised concerns among members of the Groupe d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale (GIGN), the elite intervention unit of France's national gendarmerie, which had been deployed to Bangui to provide security for the French diplomatic mission.

Following a report concerning what was described as the ambassador's imprudent conduct, the secretary-general of the French Foreign Ministry ordered an internal investigation at the embassy. The inquiry was carried out from April 7 to 10.

Le Canard enchaîné did not disclose the specific findings of the investigation, but reported that it uncovered serious violations.

Foucher has not been disciplined over the allegations and remains ambassador. According to sources cited by the publication, the decision over whether he will remain in the post could depend on the position taken by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot.

By Tamilla Hasanova