Thu Sep 12 06:37:46 UTC 2024: ## Central African Republic Turns to US After Wagner Rebellion, Sparking Tensions
**Bangui, Central African Republic -** The Central African Republic (CAR), a major client of the Wagner Group, has turned to a US private security firm after the rebellion by the mercenary group’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in June 2023.
According to documents and interviews, CAR officials wrote to a US firm, Bancroft Global Development, on June 23, 2023, seeking a meeting to discuss collaboration. This move sparked backlash from the Wagner mercenaries, who had been operating in the country since 2017, according to several diplomats, locals, and analysts.
The incident highlights the escalating rivalry between the US and Russia for influence in Africa. While Russia has expanded its presence through the Wagner Group, deploying mercenaries in at least half a dozen African countries, the US has been seeking to regain a foothold in the region.
The Wagner mercenaries have been accused of human rights abuses, including torture and the killing of civilians, in CAR and other countries. They have also been accused of exploiting natural resources in CAR, raising concerns about their impact on the country’s stability.
After Prigozhin’s death in a plane crash in August, Russia is working to rebrand the Wagner Group and bring its operations under state control. This includes the creation of a new group called “Africa Corps” to absorb Wagner’s assets and personnel.
However, the future of the Wagner mercenaries in CAR remains uncertain, as they have become deeply embedded in society. While the Russian state is attempting to exert more control, the mercenaries continue to operate with relative autonomy.
The situation in CAR is a microcosm of the larger battle for influence in Africa between Russia and the US. The outcome of this rivalry could have significant implications for the stability and future of the continent.
First Piper 