Russia asks Central African Republic to replace Wagner forces
Officials in Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic (CAR), are facing mounting pressure as Russian demands pile up.
According to the Associated Press on 6th August, Russia has asked the CAR to replace private Wagner mercenary groups with its state-run Africa Corps, and to begin funding it themselves.
Wagner, a Russian paramilitary group with close ties to the Kremlin, is known for operating in conflict zones such as Syria, Libya, and Ukraine.
In many African countries, it has often exchanged military support for access to natural resources. In the CAR, officials reportedly prefer the group’s effectiveness and fear the shift could reduce their military support. The government has long paid for protection with minerals, not cash, notably gold, uranium, and iron.
Wagner fighters have played a key role in securing President Faustin Archange Touadéra’s position, including helping him win a 2023 constitutional referendum that could extend his time in office indefinitely. Their presence has also been credited with pushing back rebel advances, particularly during the 2021 attempt to retake the capital.
The proposed transition to Africa Corps follows the 2023 death of Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. Similar changes have occurred in Mali, where Wagner personnel were recently replaced by Africa Corps forces.
Citing a CAR military official, the AP reports that Russia’s deputy defence minister presented the demand earlier this year. According to the official, the Kremlin is now insisting that Bangui cover not only Africa Corps’ operational costs but also pay Russia millions of dollars – an amount beyond CAR’s current capacity.
A senior lawmaker confirmed that negotiations were underway, though no specific figures were disclosed. “We discussed it, and the government needs to make proposals,” the lawmaker said anonymously.
Wagner’s entrenched relationships with local officials and its active combat role have made it hard to replace, according to sources cited by AP. By contrast, Africa Corps is reportedly more focused on training, a potential point of conflict. “In Mali, they forced them to accept the change. I don’t think the Central African Republic has options since they chased away the Europeans,” said Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel programme at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
French troops, a colonial-era legacy, left the country in 2022 following a diplomatic rift, leaving the CAR increasingly reliant on Russian security apparatus. Moscow’s latest demand underscores that dependency and raises questions over how long Bangui can maintain its current arrangements.
The Associated Press, Maghrebi
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