Moscow Pushes CAR to Swap Wagner for African Corps – Requesting Compensation

The Central African Republic (CAR) has reported that Russia was pushing to replace the Wagner PMC with the Ministry of Defense-controlled ‘African Corps,’ while also requesting payment for ongoing cooperation.

According to the publication Military, CAR authorities are resistant to these terms, viewing Wagner as a more effective partner and favoring payment in resources rather than cash.

For many years, the Wagner PMC has operated in the Central African Republic, protecting President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, strengthening his government’s position, and supporting the 2023 referendum that allowed him to extend his rule.

In exchange, the Russian mercenaries gained access to various deposits, including gold.

Attempts to replace Wagner with the ‘African Corps’ intensified after the elimination of Yevgeny Prigozhin in 2023.

This replacement has already taken place in Mali at the beginning of 2024.

According to the Associated Press, the Russian Deputy Minister of Defence, during several visits to the Central African Republic earlier this year, demanded a transition to the ‘African Corps’ along with full payment for its operations.

However, the representatives of the CAR government remain doubtful about the effectiveness of the ‘African Corps’, which operates under the direct control of the Russian Ministry of Defence, and prefer to keep the Wagner PMC.

According to sources, Russia is demanding not only coverage of personnel maintenance costs but also a substantial cash payment.

The exact amount has not been disclosed, but it has been described as too large for the Central African Republic.

The country is unable to pay such a sum. Instead, the CAR government hopes to settle the payment with resources, specifically gold, uranium, and iron.