Jean-Fernand Koena is a freelancer for RFE/RL based in the Central African Republic.
Since 2018, Wagner fighters have operated in the Central African Republic, serving as military instructors for local forces and personal security for officials, while also exploiting mineral resources. Evidence points to grave crimes credibly linked to Wagner forces and their successor entities.
Since 2018, the notorious Russian mercenary company formerly known as Wagner has overseen security for top officials in the Central African Republic, while also running lucrative mining concessions. Their soldiers have also been credibly accused of scores of crimes. And atrocities.
Former Central African soldier Derrick Ngamana’s family finds itself in a Kafkaesque struggle to recover his remains after he was killed fighting for Moscow in Russia’s all-out war on Ukraine.
Russia appears to be moving some of its military equipment from Syria to Africa, where Moscow is expanding its military footprint.
