CAR: Ties with Russia will continue with or without Wagner

The first Vice-President of the Central African National Assembly, Evariste Ngamana indicated Wednesday June 28 that ties with Russia will not be affected whether Russian paramilitary company Wagner leaves the country or not.

Ngamana’s remark came after Russian top diplomat Sergei Lavrov asserted that the paramilitary group who briefly rebelled against the Kremlin on Saturday will “continue” to operate in Mali and the Central African Republic, as instructors.

Wagner has been present in CAR on the side of the army to help curb rebellion wanting to bring down the regime of President Touadéra. He turned to Moscow for help late 2020. Relations between the two countries since then have scaled up with the African country expressing interest to house a Russian military base.