From our correspondent in Bangui,

The cases are as numerous as the questions posed by the elected officials: the arrest of unionized members of her ministry, the loss of the Central African Republic's vote at the United Nations General Assembly, the controversy concerning the request for transfer of several MINUSCA (UN Multidisciplinary Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic) agents or even a matter of forged passports...

"I did indeed indicate that these were forged passports insofar as diplomatic passports, the genuine diplomatic passports, are the prerogative of the President of the Republic, Head of State, or of the Foreign Affairs Minister. The passports making headlines have not been signed by these two individuals. There is an investigation underway so we will all know when the time comes," replied the Foreign Affairs Minister, Sylvie Baipo Temon.

On numerous issues concerning the functioning of her ministry or the embassies, the minister cited budgetary problems. This does not convince all deputies, such as Jean-Pierre Mara: "I do not believe for one instant in the notion of lack of financial resources because if we understand correctly, our partners are supporting us, so they are providing the means necessary to allow us to solve the problems. The executive has its priorities, which is why it finds itself with problems where it no longer has the means. But we cannot cite lack of means to justify why we are not solving the problem... For me, that reasoning doesn't work at all."

The session was punctuated by a few moments of irritation.