Tensions are growing between Russia and the Central African Republic (CAR) over Moscow’s push to replace the Wagner private military group with the state-run Africa Corps — and to start paying for the services in cash.
Officials in Bangui confirmed that Russia’s deputy defence minister made the demand earlier this year during visits to the country. The request is part of a wider Kremlin strategy to phase out Wagner across Africa following the 2023 death of its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in a plane crash. Since then, Wagner has been replaced by Africa Corps in other African countries, including Mali.
However, CAR authorities are hesitant to accept the change. They believe Wagner is more effective on the ground, enjoys strong connections with local officers, and has earned a reputation as a feared and resourceful fighting force. Wagner fighters have been guarding President Faustin Archange Touadera and his government for years. They also played a key role in securing his victory in the 2023 constitutional referendum, which allows him to potentially stay in power indefinitely.
In return for these services, Wagner has been given access to CAR’s vast mineral wealth, including gold, uranium, and iron. Many of their payments are made in the form of mineral rights rather than cash — an arrangement the government prefers.
According to a senior CAR military official who spoke on condition of anonymity, Russia now wants a new arrangement: the Africa Corps would replace Wagner, and CAR would be required to pay billions of CFA francs — the equivalent of millions of U.S. dollars — directly to Moscow for security services.
“The government cannot afford the amount being demanded,” the official said. “We want to continue with mineral-based payments instead of cash, but the Russians are pushing for hard currency.”
A senior lawmaker in Bangui with direct knowledge of the negotiations also confirmed Russia’s request. “The government is studying the matter and needs to make a proposal,” the lawmaker told the Associated Press.
Analysts say the situation could create friction between the two allies. While Wagner has been directly involved in combat operations against rebel groups — even helping to stop an attempted rebel takeover of the capital in 2021 — Africa Corps is expected to focus more on training local forces rather than fighting alongside them. This shift in role may not sit well with CAR leaders who still face security threats.
Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel Program at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, said the Kremlin forced Mali to accept the change from Wagner to Africa Corps, but CAR might resist. “I don’t think the Central African Republic has many options,” he said. “They pushed out the Europeans, so now Russia is their only security partner.”
The Central African Republic has been in crisis since 2013 when predominantly Muslim rebel groups ousted the president. Despite a 2019 peace deal, fighting resumed after six armed groups pulled out of the agreement. Wagner’s arrival in 2018 strengthened the government’s military position, especially in defending Bangui from rebel advances.
The country’s former colonial power, France, once had a strong military presence in CAR but withdrew its last troops in 2022 after relations with President Touadera’s administration soured. Since then, Russia has become the main foreign military partner.
Russia’s Defence Ministry has not commented on the reported payment request.For now, CAR’s leaders face a difficult choice: keep Wagner, which they trust and pay in minerals, or switch to Africa Corps and start paying Russia in cash — a burden their struggling economy might not bear.
Observers say whatever decision is made could reshape CAR’s security and political future, and possibly affect Russia’s influence in Africa at a time when Moscow is actively expanding its state-controlled military presence on the continent.
