The French Foreign Ministry began proceedings with the facts of inappropriate behavior of its ambassador to the CAR Bruno Fouche, who invited young women to his place and entered into sexual relations with some of them. This was reported by Agence France-Presse.
"At the initiative of the ministry, an administrative investigation was conducted in 2026 [in the capital of the Central African Republic] Bangui. After receiving the results, at the request of the Minister, the Ministry initiated disciplinary proceedings against the Ambassador. This trial is ongoing," a representative of the French Foreign Ministry told the agency.
The weekly Le Canard enchaîne wrote about Fouche's adventures earlier. According to him, from January 2024 to March 2026, Fouche invited about 30 girls between the ages of 20 and 30 to his private apartments, "and offered some of them to stay overnight." When the information "leaked", the elite special unit of the French gendarmerie, which ensures the safety of French diplomats in the Central African Republic, was forced to respond to the situation. A report was compiled, based on it, an "on-site inspection" was carried out, which took place from April 7 to 10.
As it turned out, up to 15 "visitors" came to the French ambassador a month, most often on weekends. During the interrogations, the ambassador claimed that he hosted female students and wanted to help them with their studies, gave them access to his library and film collection. He even allegedly paid for the studies of one of them. Inspectors recorded at least one serious violation of the protocol: Fouche allowed one of his "visitors" to stay at his house while he was away. During further interrogation, the diplomat admitted that he had sexual relations with two girls.
The General Inspectorate of the French Foreign Ministry, after collecting witness testimony, called for the dismissal of the ambassador, who had worked in Bangui for three years. The inspectors found the diplomat's behavior inappropriate and stated that his actions were detrimental to the security and reputation, as well as the interests of France.
Nevertheless, the country's Foreign Minister, Jon-Noel Barro, according to the publication, is in no hurry to dismiss Fouche. Barro has not yet made a decision on punishment for the head of the diplomatic mission, although the report on what happened has been on his desk since May. The Ambassador may face reprimand, dismissal from public service or forced resignation.