A statue honoring Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner Group, was unveiled in Bangui, Central African Republic, symbolizing the close ties between CAR and Russia. Despite Prigozhin’s death in an August 2023 plane crash, the CAR government continues to support Wagner’s operations, claiming significant improvements in security. The country remains rich in resources yet struggles with poverty and instability.
A memorial statue in honor of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the late leader of Russia’s Wagner Group, has been inaugurated in the capital city of Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR). The statue depicts Prigozhin in protective attire with a walkie-talkie, accompanied by his deputy Dmitru Utkin, who is armed with an AK-47 rifle. The unveiling ceremony was attended by prominent military officials, reinforcing the growing ties between CAR and Russia, particularly through the Wagner Group’s operations in the region.
The Wagner Group has been active in CAR since 2018, following an invitation by President Faustin-Archange Touadéra to assist in suppressing rebel factions. This mercenary group has established a significant presence in the country, securing lucrative contracts for gold and diamond mining. While operations extend to various African nations, CAR has become the focal point of their activities. The national police described the statue as emblematic of the bilateral relationship between CAR and Russia.
Despite the turmoil following the demise of Prigozhin and Utkin in a plane crash in August 2023, which occurred shortly after their failed insurrection in Russia, support for the Wagner Group persists in CAR. President Touadéra justified their presence, asserting that the situation has improved markedly with their assistance in combating armed groups. As a testament to Russia’s influence, a prior statue in Bangui commemorates Russian troops aiding civilians. Nevertheless, CAR continues to grapple with poverty and instability, having experienced persistent unrest since gaining independence from France in 1960. Critics argue that the government’s allegiance to Russian mercenaries is part of a broader strategy to exploit the country’s rich natural resources.
The Central African Republic has faced ongoing conflict and instability since its independence, with numerous armed factions vying for control. Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group began their involvement in CAR in 2018, following an official request from the CAR government to help curb violent groups. Their activities have included securing resource contracts and providing military support to the national army. The region is rich in natural resources yet suffers from poverty and social challenges, a situation exacerbated by ongoing violence. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of Wagner, has had a controversial legacy, tied to both military actions and geopolitical maneuvers in Africa and beyond.
The unveiling of Yevgeny Prigozhin’s statue in the Central African Republic demonstrates the deepening military and political ties between CAR and Russia through the Wagner Group. While this development may signal a strengthened partnership, the CAR continues to face challenges related to civil disorder and economic instability. Ongoing reliance on foreign mercenaries underlines the precarious balance of power and the implications for local governance and resource distribution.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
