France opens disciplinary proceedings against its ambassador to Central African Republic over misconduct allegations

France has initiated disciplinary proceedings against its ambassador to the Central African Republic, Bruno Foucher, 65, following allegations that he brought approximately 30 women aged 20 to 30 into his official residence in Bangui between January 2024 and March 2026, raising concerns about potential security breaches. The French Foreign Ministry confirmed the proceedings, which followed an on-site inspection conducted in April 2026.

Foucher, a career diplomat, has served as ambassador to CAR since 2023. He previously held ambassadorial posts in Lebanon from 2017 to 2020, in Iran from 2011 to 2016, and in Chad between 2006 and 2011, according to The Guardian.

The allegations were first reported by the French weekly newspaper Le Canard Enchaîné, which said it obtained the inspection report. According to that account, Foucher received approximately 15 visits per month from women in the 20-to-30 age range, some of whom stayed overnight. He acknowledged having had sexual relations with two young women, the weekly reported, and allegedly instructed staff to allow one woman to remain at the residence during his absence.

The French Foreign Ministry stated: 'At the initiative of the ministry, an administrative investigation was carried out in Bangui in 2026. Upon receipt of the findings of this mission, and at the request of the minister, the ministry initiated disciplinary proceedings against the ambassador. These proceedings are ongoing.' The ministry added that it has not commented further while the investigation continues.

The case arises at a delicate moment in French diplomacy in the region. Paris has been working to rebuild relations with the Central African Republic after ties deteriorated in recent years as Russia expanded its influence in the former French colony, primarily through the Wagner paramilitary group, which both sources report plays a key role in providing security for CAR President Faustin-Archange Touadéra.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot visited Bangui in March and described relations with CAR as fully restored — The Guardian quotes him praising the 'complete restoration of relations,' while Africanews characterises him as having declared relations 'completely restored.' Both sources describe the allegations against Foucher as an unexpected setback to those diplomatic efforts.

According to The Guardian, French officials have previously accused Russia of fostering anti-French sentiment across a number of African countries.

• Ambassador Bruno Foucher has not been quoted directly in either source; his personal response to the disciplinary proceedings is not established.
• The identities and circumstances of the women involved are not established by any source.
• The precise nature of the alleged security breach — what information or access may have been compromised — is not detailed in either source.
• The potential sanctions or outcomes of the disciplinary proceedings are not specified.
• It is not established whether any of the women had connections to foreign intelligence services or other entities of security concern.
• CAR government officials have not been quoted or given an opportunity to respond in either source.

1. The Guardian — original — by Guardian staff reporter
2. Africanews — by @africanews

Read the original at The Guardian

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