France, June 8 -- France has suspended financial support and military cooperation with the Central African Republic, accusing it of backing out of political commitments, and of being complicit in a Russian-backed disinformation campaign targeting France's presence in Africa.

France "is the target of a massive disinformation campaign in CAR," a French foreign ministry source, who asked not to be named, told the AFP news agency.

The source considers Russia to be at the originof the campaign, but that "the Central Africans are at best complicit".

France also accuses CAR of not respecting its political commitments. When he was elected in December, president Faustin-Archange Touadera had pledged to France and other European partners to open...