The difficult choice for the Central African Republic: Wagner or Africa Corps?
The Central African Republic finds itself at a strategic crossroads regarding its security partnerships. While President Touadéra appears inclined to maintain the presence of the Wagner Group, Moscow is pushing for the deployment of Africa Corps. The primary difference for the state lies in the financial arrangement: Wagner compensates itself through the systematic exploitation of national resources, whereas Africa Corps reportedly demands a monthly payment of 10 billion CFA francs from the Russia-aligned administration.
For the citizens of the Central African Republic, however, the distinction may be purely academic. The reality on the ground suggests a grim continuity: the same patterns of violence, the same reports of atrocities, and the same risk of massacres. The only tangible change appears to be the method of payment for these paramilitary services.
Lessons from the transition in Mali
Following the death of Evguéni Prigojine in mid-2025, Africa Corps took over Wagner‘s operations in Mali. Any hopes that this change in leadership would lead to a more humane approach were quickly extinguished. Testimonies from survivors indicate that the personnel remain largely the same, and the cycle of violence against civilians has not abated. “There is no fundamental difference between the two groups,” noted a village leader who fled the violence.
A significant shift, however, exists in the chain of command. Unlike the semi-autonomous Wagner, Africa Corps operates under the direct supervision of the Russian Ministry of Defense. In theory, this makes the Russian government directly accountable for any war crimes committed by the unit, according to international observers.
Structure and recruitment of the new force
The Africa Corps remains a shadowy organization, with estimated troop levels of around 2,000 men in Mali. While many fighters are Russian or Biélorussien, the group also recruits from various African nations. Refugees have reported seeing black soldiers within the ranks who speak foreign languages, highlighting a diverse but equally opaque recruitment strategy.
Voices of the displaced: stories of survival
The experiences of Malian refugees currently in Mauritanie provide a chilling preview of what the Central African Republic might face. Displaced persons describe a “scorched earth” policy where soldiers target anyone in their path without warning or interrogation.
One mother, Fatma, recounted the horror in her village of Kurmare, where her children were killed during a raid by foreign paramilitaries. “I am only alive in appearance,” she shared, describing how the soldiers looted homes and committed extrajudicial killings.
Another refugee, Mougaloa, an ethnic Peul, witnessed the execution of her son. The Peul community has been particularly targeted under the suspicion of supporting insurgent groups. In the crossfire between the army and militants, civilians find themselves in an impossible position: “If you don’t report militants, the army kills you. If you do, the militants kill you,” she explained.
A climate of fear and silence
While some statistics suggest a decline in civilian casualties compared to previous years, experts warn that these numbers may be misleading. The pervasive fear of retaliation often prevents victims from coming forward. Reports of extreme brutality, including the desecration of bodies, continue to circulate on social media, further terrorizing local populations.
In the Central African Republic, the shadow of these events looms large. As the transition from Wagner to Africa Corps continues, the fundamental question remains whether any change in command can truly protect the lives of innocent civilians caught in the middle of geopolitical maneuvering.
