French ambassador to CAR accused of misconduct at official residence faces disciplinary action

France has opened disciplinary proceedings against its top diplomat in the Central African Republic (CAR) over accusations of misconduct.

This emerged after a report in a French weekly that Ambassador Bruno Foucher allegedly had brought dozens of women into his official residence and had sex with some of them. He has not commented publicly.

The allegations, which refer to events said to have happened between January 2024 and March this year, prompted investigations by France's foreign ministry into a potential security breach.

A French diplomat told the BBC that the ministry has since initiated administrative procedures against the ambassador, which are "ongoing".

The BBC has contacted the French embassy in the capital, Bangui, for comment.

It is unclear what the disciplinary procedures against Foucher entail or how long they will last.

According to reports from French paper Le Canard enchaîné, Foucher is alleged to have invited about 30 women to his residence in Bangui.

Some of the women were reported to have stayed overnight, raising security concerns.

Foucher, 65, has been serving as his country's top diplomat in Bangui since 2023.

His alleged misconduct comes as France and the CAR are working to improve their bilateral relationship which had been strained in the past.

During his visit to Bangui in March, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot praised the "complete restoration of relations" between the two countries.

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