Analysis: The curious case of Russia in Central African Republic
2 years, 7 months ago

Analysis: The curious case of Russia in Central African Republic

Al Jazeera  

Russia’s involvement in Central Africa seems like an attempt to establish a corridor of influence but Moscow may soon find its dream is a mirage, experts say. “A number of citizens here consider Wagner’s presence a good thing, especially since their operatives and our army pushed back an assault on our capital, Bangui in January 2021,” reports freelance journalist Fiacre Salabe from the city. Writing for the Russian International Affairs Council, a government-aligned think-tank, the Moscow-based geopolitical analyst Andrew Korybko used language to this effect in a January 12 blog post in which he referred to Russia’s help in “the rehabilitation” of CAR. His murder follows that of three Russian investigative journalists killed in August 2018, as they were investigating Wagner’s actions in the CAR, and how it made its money. So as far as building that corridor of influence is concerned, it’s back to the drawing board.” That Russian military base in the CAR, which had been talked about since 2019, is unlikely to materialise and there are credible reports saying that Wagner is reducing its presence in the CAR because its operatives are needed in Ukraine.

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History of this topic

A former staffer exposes how Russia’s disinformation machine worked in Central African Republic
1 month ago

A former staffer exposes how Russia’s disinformation machine worked in Central African Republic

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — When Ephrem Yalike-Ngonzo was first approached in 2019 by a Russian who suggested he help promote the activities of the Central African Republic’s army and Russian forces in the country, the journalist believed that he was doing the right thing. “To denounce the disrespect of human rights, and to expose the disinformation system which can be replicated …

U.S.-Russia battle to influence Africa plays out in Central African Republic
3 months, 1 week ago

U.S.-Russia battle to influence Africa plays out in Central African Republic

The Hindu  

Hours after Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin rebelled against his country’s top military leaders, his private army’s biggest client in Africa panicked, turning for help to his foe in the West. Officials from the Central African Republic, where some 1,500 of Mr. Prigozhin’s shadowy Wagner Group mercenaries were stationed, wrote a letter that day, requesting to “rapidly” arrange a meeting …

Takeaways from AP’s report on Russian and U.S. influence in Central African Republic
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Takeaways from AP’s report on Russian and U.S. influence in Central African Republic

Associated Press  

BANGUI, Central African Republic — In the wake of Russian mercenary leaderYevgeny Prigozhin’s rebellion, a deal was struck between a private U.S. security firm and Central African Republic, a nation where his shadowy Wagner Group has long been a fixture. Still, the State Department said in a statement early this year that it wasn’t involved in the decision to establish …

Russia’s Wagner has deadliest loss in Africa’s Sahel, highlighting the region’s instability
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Russia’s Wagner has deadliest loss in Africa’s Sahel, highlighting the region’s instability

Associated Press  

ABUJA, Nigeria — Dozens of Wagner mercenaries were killed by jihadis and rebels over the weekend in northern Mali in what one analyst described on Monday as the largest battleground blow to the shadowy Russian group in years. Approximately 50 Wagner fighters in a convoy were killed in an al-Qaida ambush, which was joined by rebels who were in pursuit, …

Mali rebels claim major victory over army, Russia’s Wagner group
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Mali rebels claim major victory over army, Russia’s Wagner group

Al Jazeera  

Tuareg separatists say they ‘obliterated’ enemy columns and seized a large amount of equipment and weapons. A mainly Tuareg separatist coalition has claimed a major victory over Mali’s army and its Russian allies following three days of intense fighting in a district on the Algerian border. Mali’s military rulers, led by Colonel Assimi Goita, took power in 2020 and turned …

Why African nations are turning to Russia
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Why African nations are turning to Russia

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Russia's top diplomat pledged help …

What Wagner’s post-Prigozhin future looks like on the ground in the Central African Republic
1 year, 3 months ago

What Wagner’s post-Prigozhin future looks like on the ground in the Central African Republic

CNN  

Bangui, Central African Republic CNN — On his final trip to the Central African Republic last month, the former Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin visited la Maison Russe, or the Russian House, a cultural center near the Russian embassy in the capital, where he posed for selfies with his lieutenants and locals. It added that it serves both Wagner and Russia’s …

Russia’s Wagner mercenaries face uncertainty after the presumed death of their leader in plane crash
1 year, 3 months ago

Russia’s Wagner mercenaries face uncertainty after the presumed death of their leader in plane crash

Associated Press  

The Wagner Group’s presence extends from the ancient battlegrounds of Syria to the deserts of sub-Saharan Africa, projecting the Kremlin’s global influence with mercenaries accused of using brutal force and profiting from seized mineral riches. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., said Friday that Wagner’s forces “are destabilizing, and we’ve encouraged countries in Africa to condemn their presence …

Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin claims to be making Africa ‘freer’ in unverified video
1 year, 4 months ago

Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin claims to be making Africa ‘freer’ in unverified video

CNN  

CNN — Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin says he is in Africa “making Russia even greater on all continents, and Africa even freer,” in a video circulating on pro-Russian military blogs Monday. We are hiring real bogatyrs and continue to fulfill the tasks that were set before us and that we promised we would handle.” Wagner fighters have been active …

Niger’s junta rulers ask for help from Russian group Wagner as it faces military intervention threat
1 year, 4 months ago

Niger’s junta rulers ask for help from Russian group Wagner as it faces military intervention threat

The Hindu  

Niger’s new military junta has asked for help from the Russian mercenary group Wagner as the deadline nears for it to release the country’s ousted president or face possible military intervention by the West African regional bloc, according to an analyst. After his visit to Mali, run by a sympathetic junta, Mody warned against a military intervention, vowing that Niger …

After mutiny, clouds hover over Wagner’s operations in Africa
1 year, 5 months ago

After mutiny, clouds hover over Wagner’s operations in Africa

Al Jazeera  

Wagner’s mutiny in Russia has been eyed with interest and concern in Africa as questions mount over its operations. Many observers in Western and Central Africa watched with piqued attention as the Wagner Group mutiny unfolded in Russia, curious about its significance on the mercenary force’s vast operations on the continent. “For Mali and CAR, what is important for is …

Future of Wagner contracts up to African states: Russia’s Lavrov
1 year, 5 months ago

Future of Wagner contracts up to African states: Russia’s Lavrov

Al Jazeera  

Saturday’s attempted mutiny in Russia has led to speculation about the status of Wagner operatives in the Central African Republic and elsewhere in Africa. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said the future of contracts signed between various African countries and the Wagner mercenary group was a matter for those governments who had concluded such agreements. Speaking at a news …

Why Wagner's Russia rebellion raises red flags for African states and their security
1 year, 5 months ago

Why Wagner's Russia rebellion raises red flags for African states and their security

Firstpost  

African countries engaged with Wagner, and with Russia, should take heed. The aborted Wagner rebellion offers distinct lessons for African countries that have invited mercenary troops onto their soil The brief rebellion led against the Kremlin by the head of the Wagner mercenary forces in Russia last week sent shock waves across the world. As a coordinator of observations of …

What's next for Russia's Wagner in Middle East, Africa, examines US
1 year, 5 months ago

What's next for Russia's Wagner in Middle East, Africa, examines US

Hindustan Times  

The United States is examining how the Wagner Group's short-lived mutiny against Russia's military establishment might affect the mercenaries' operations in the Middle East and Africa, officials said. On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Russian media that Wagner's work in Central African Republic would continue. The US official said that despite Lavrov's comments, the United States was looking …

Russia to continue work in CAR, Wagner business separate: Kremlin
1 year, 5 months ago

Russia to continue work in CAR, Wagner business separate: Kremlin

Al Jazeera  

The fate of Wagner mercenaries at home and in parts of Africa is uncertain after its abortive mutiny in Russia on Saturday. Russian advisers will continue working with the forces of the Central African Republic, but the operations there of the Wagner Group are the private military contractor’s own, separate business, the Kremlin says. This week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey …

Russian militia maintains ruthless role in Africa after failed rebellion
1 year, 5 months ago

Russian militia maintains ruthless role in Africa after failed rebellion

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “The situation is extremely volatile," said Nathalia Dukhan, senior …

Failed Wagner revolt leaves a question in Africa: Will the ruthless mercenaries remain?
1 year, 5 months ago

Failed Wagner revolt leaves a question in Africa: Will the ruthless mercenaries remain?

Associated Press  

BIRAO, Central African Republic — The Russian mercenary group that briefly threatened President Vladimir Putin’s authority has for years been a ruthless force-for-hire across Africa, protecting rulers at the expense of the masses. “The situation is extremely volatile,” said Nathalia Dukhan, senior investigator at The Sentry, a U.S.-based policy organization that published an investigative report Tuesday accusing Wagner of carrying …

Wagner trained African militia to ‘burn people alive’, investigation claims
1 year, 5 months ago

Wagner trained African militia to ‘burn people alive’, investigation claims

The Telegraph  

Russia’s Wagner Group mercenaries taught African soldiers and militiamen to torture and strangle prisoners and even burn people alive, an investigation has claimed. ‘Mass killings, torture and rape’ Mr Touadéra hired the group in 2018 to help fend off rebels and Wagner has since struck similar deals in Mali, Burkina Faso and Libya among others. “Wagner, Touadéra, and his inner …

Wagner revolt in Russia dims outlook for its operations in Africa
1 year, 6 months ago

Wagner revolt in Russia dims outlook for its operations in Africa

Al Jazeera  

Mali and CAR sought closer ties with Russia and military support to fight armed groups in both countries. A revolt by the Wagner force in Russia poses a diplomatic quandary for Mali and Central African Republic, where forces from the mercenary group have played an increasingly central role in long-running internal conflicts. Wagner’s continued presence in Mali amid the continuing …

Explained | The Wagner group’s actions in Africa
1 year, 8 months ago

Explained | The Wagner group’s actions in Africa

The Hindu  

The story so far: After fighting erupted in Sudan’s capital Khartoum on April 15, questions have been raised over the involvement of the Wagner group, which has been active in African countries for years. Despite its involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war, the Wagner group’s presence in Africa has continued. Additionally, the West has been raising concerns over human rights violations …

US envoy says Russian Wagner Group’s activities intolerable
1 year, 11 months ago

US envoy says Russian Wagner Group’s activities intolerable

Associated Press  

BELGRADE, Serbia — A senior U.S. envoy expressed strong concern Thursday about the activities of the Russian private military contractor Wagner Group and its alleged attempts to recruit soldiers in Serbia and elsewhere in the world. Moscow’s propaganda portal RT, which recently started its Serbian-language online news site in Serbia, has published Wagner’s recruitment advert seeking fighters in Ukraine, saying …

US and Russia clash over violent extremism in Africa
1 year, 11 months ago

US and Russia clash over violent extremism in Africa

Associated Press  

UNITED NATIONS — The United States accused Russian military contractors backed by the Kremlin on Tuesday of interfering in the internal affairs of African countries and “increasing the likelihood that violent extremism will grow” in the Sahel region which is facing increasing attacks and deteriorating security -- an allegation Russia denied. Russia’s deputy U.N. ambassador Anna Evstigneeva rejected attempts “to …

Russian linked to Wagner badly hurt in assassination attempt in Central African Republic
2 years ago

Russian linked to Wagner badly hurt in assassination attempt in Central African Republic

CNN  

CNN — A Russian citizen closely linked to the Wagner group led by Yevgeny Prigozhin has been injured in an assassination attempt in the Central African Republic, according to Prigozhin and Russian officials. Dmitry Syty, who runs the “Russian House” in the capital of CAR, Bangui, received a package that exploded in his hands, according to the press service of …

Unknown aircraft targets Wagner base in C. African Republic
2 years ago

Unknown aircraft targets Wagner base in C. African Republic

Associated Press  

BANGUI, Central African Republic — Authorities in Central African Republic have opened an investigation after a low-flying fighter jet dropped explosives near a base for Russian mercenaries working with the country’s military. In Central African Republic, Wagner fighters ride around the capital Bangui in unmarked military vehicles and guard the country’s gold and diamond mines. A report released earlier this …

Shrouded in secrecy for years, Russia’s Wagner Group opens up
2 years, 4 months ago

Shrouded in secrecy for years, Russia’s Wagner Group opens up

Al Jazeera  

The mysterious network of mercenaries is embracing an ever-public image as the war on Ukraine drags on. “Mercenaries have no official status, so they don’t have the same rights or guarantees as an official representative of the armed forces, and payment is only after completing a mission,” Marat Gabidullin told Al Jazeera. “It’s always been a part of either military …

Shrouded in secrecy for years, Russia’s Wagner Group opens up
2 years, 4 months ago

Shrouded in secrecy for years, Russia’s Wagner Group opens up

Al Jazeera  

The mysterious network of mercenaries is embracing an ever-public image as the war on Ukraine drags on. “Mercenaries have no official status, so they don’t have the same rights or guarantees as an official representative of the armed forces, and payment is only after completing a mission,” Marat Gabidullin told Al Jazeera. “It’s always been a part of either military …

CAR: HRW denounces alleged abuses of Russian mercenary group
2 years, 7 months ago

CAR: HRW denounces alleged abuses of Russian mercenary group

Al Jazeera  

The Kremlin-linked mercenary group Wagner has been accused of perpetrating human rights abuses in Mali and now CAR. Mercenaries from the Russian private military company the Wagner Group summarily beat and executed civilians between February 2019 and November 2021 in the Central African Republic, according to a report by Human Rights Watch. The human rights defenders’ report features testimonies from …

Russian mercenaries are Putin’s ‘coercive tool’ in Africa
2 years, 8 months ago

Russian mercenaries are Putin’s ‘coercive tool’ in Africa

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — When abuses were reported in recent weeks in Mali — fake graves designed to discredit French forces; a massacre of some 300 people, mostly civilians — all evidence pointed to the shadowy mercenaries of Russia’s Wagner Group. “They essentially run the Central African Republic,” and are a growing force in Mali, Gen. Stephen Townsend, the commander of …

Russian mercenaries are Putin’s ‘coercive tool’ in Africa
2 years, 8 months ago

Russian mercenaries are Putin’s ‘coercive tool’ in Africa

Al Jazeera  

Russia has deployed the Wagner Group in military operations across at least half a dozen African nations. The United States identifies Wagner’s financer as Yevgeny Prigozhin, an oligarch who is close to the Russian president and sometimes is called “Putin’s chef” for his flashy restaurants favoured by the Russian leader. But there is another objective of Russia’s “hybrid war” in …

Russian mercenaries are Putin’s ‘coercive tool’ in Africa
2 years, 8 months ago

Russian mercenaries are Putin’s ‘coercive tool’ in Africa

LA Times  

This undated photograph handed out by the French military shows three Russian mercenaries, right, in northern Mali. “They essentially run the Central African Republic,” and are a growing force in Mali, Gen. Stephen Townsend, the commander of U.S. armed forces in Africa, told a Senate hearing last month. Russian national Valery Zakharov is Touadera’s national security advisor but also a …

Russian footholds in Mideast, Africa raise threat to NATO
2 years, 9 months ago

Russian footholds in Mideast, Africa raise threat to NATO

Associated Press  

BEIRUT — Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine dominates world attention. — In Syria, Russia’s defense minister last month showed off nuclear-capable bombers and hypersonic missiles over the Mediterranean, part of a security partnership that now has the Kremlin threatening to send Syrian fighters to Ukraine. — In Sudan, a leader of a junta that’s seized power in that …

French FM accuses Russian mercenaries of ‘despoiling’ Mali
2 years, 10 months ago

French FM accuses Russian mercenaries of ‘despoiling’ Mali

Al Jazeera  

Le Drian says Russian company Wagner is exploiting the country’s resources in exchange for protecting the military government. France’s foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has accused Russian private military contractor Wagner Group of plundering Mali’s resources amid heightened tensions between Paris and the country’s military government in recent weeks, including over the fate of European forces deployed in the region …

UN probing alleged killings by CAR forces, Russia mercenaries
2 years, 11 months ago

UN probing alleged killings by CAR forces, Russia mercenaries

Al Jazeera  

UN official says the body is investigating the incident involving CAR troops and ‘other security personnel’. The United Nations is investigating the alleged killing of dozens of people in the Central African Republic last week by CAR forces and mercenaries with the Russian private military company Wagner. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the UN mission known as MINUSCA in the …

Explained: Crisis in the Central African Republic
3 years, 9 months ago

Explained: Crisis in the Central African Republic

The Hindu  

The story so far The security and humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic has rapidly deteriorated over the last several weeks. The G5+ group — which includes France, Russia, the U.S., the EU, the African Union, and the World Bank — issued a joint statement calling on the rebel groups and Mr. Bozize to lay down their arms. Mr. …

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