00:00 Regis Sainte-Claire Voyemawa is the Russian Orthodox Church's man in the Central African
00:09 Republic.
00:11 He switched his Byzantine Orthodox Church to the Russian version last August.
00:18 Five months after Russia invaded Ukraine, that invasion has sharpened international
00:24 concerns about Russian influence in countries like the Central African Republic, including
00:29 via institutions like the Church.
00:33 Don't you also think that there is some form of huge Russian influence in the Central African
00:37 Republic?
00:39 The Russians are correcting the mistakes that others have committed, like the French.
00:44 Russia has never colonized an African country.
00:46 It must be said that Russia is a great partner in terms of security, especially in our country.
00:51 We're in the heart of Africa and are threatened by rebels and terrorists.
00:55 Russia is here and we're at peace.
00:57 We're happy to have our partnership with Russia.
01:07 Regis trained in the Russian Orthodox Liturgy in Moscow.
01:11 His church is sponsored by that church.
01:14 And soon, two Central African Republic seminarians will follow him to St. Petersburg for study.
01:21 It's thought a quarter of people in the Central African Republic's capital, Bangui, are members
01:25 of the Russian Orthodox Church, converts from the Roman Catholic Church.
01:31 I don't feel influenced by the Russians because it is a church that teaches us the truth.
01:37 And then the liturgical doctrine is good.
01:40 There are several things that I did not master before.
01:43 It is now that my eyes begin to open to know the truth and the right path.
01:50 Just as Russian private army, the Bachner Group, protects President Foster Arkhangelsk
01:55 to Adaira, a statue to its soldiers watches over the center of the capital city.
02:02 People here in Bangui won't speak critically about Russia's influence or actions.
02:07 Either they are too scared or they appreciate the relative quiet.
02:13 I know that there used to be a Roman Catholic Church and that this church was transformed
02:18 into a Russian Orthodox Church.
02:22 And with the presence of this Russian Orthodox Church, we feel that there is a Russian influence
02:27 in our country.
02:30 If this influence can bring security, peace and development in our country, then this
02:36 is what all Central Africans want.
02:44 In this country, which has lived through decades of wars, this desire for a new beginning is
02:48 widespread.
02:50 For those who are not suffering, it matters less who runs security or the churches.
02:56 Relative stability may be enough.
02:57 [BLANK_AUDIO]
