France has opened disciplinary proceedings against its ambassador to the Central African Republic, Bruno Foucher, over allegations of misconduct. The investigation was launched after claims that Foucher brought dozens of women into his official residence, raising potential security concerns. According to the French weekly newspaper Le Canard enchaîné, Foucher, 65, brought about 30 women between the ages of 20 and 30 into his residence during the period of January 2024 to March 2026, with some of them staying overnight.
The visits prompted officials to report a security breach. The ambassador acknowledged having had sexual relations with two young women, the weekly said. Foucher is a career diplomat who has served as ambassador to CAR since 2023, and has previously held ambassadorial positions in Lebanon, Iran, and Chad.
The French foreign ministry conducted an on-site inspection in April, which led to the opening of disciplinary proceedings. The ministry stated that an administrative investigation was carried out in Bangui in 2026, and that disciplinary proceedings against the ambassador are ongoing. The ambassador allegedly received about 15 visits a month, and instructed staff to allow one of the young women to stay at the residence during his absence.
The investigation comes as Paris seeks to rebuild relations with CAR after their sharp deterioration in recent years amid Russia’s expanding influence in the former French colony. The French foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, recently visited Bangui in March and praised the ‘complete restoration of relations’ between France and CAR. Russia maintains a strong foothold in CAR, primarily through the Wagner paramilitary group, which plays a key role in providing security for the country’s president, Faustin-Archange Touadéra.
French officials have accused Russians of fostering anti-French sentiment in a number of African countries.
