CAR defies Kremlin push to replace Wagner with state-run Africa Corps

The Central African Republic (CAR) is resisting Russian pressure to replace the Wagner Group with the Kremlin’s newly formed Africa Corps, amid demands for cash payments rather than the mineral-for-security model that has long defined the partnership.
According to senior officials in Bangui, Russia’s Deputy Defense Minister made several visits this year urging CAR to sever ties with Wagner and adopt the state-controlled Africa Corps for ongoing military support. However, CAR’s leadership is hesitant, citing Wagner’s superior effectiveness, deep integration with local forces, and an established payment model based on gold and mining concessions. “They understand the terrain, the politics, and they deliver results,” said a government official, adding that paying in cash is not an option for CAR.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a military official noted that Russia demands that the CAR “must not only cover the costs of Africa Corps personnel, but also pay significant sums of money to Russia, amounting to billions of CFA francs (millions of dollars).” However, according to the official, who was familiar with the negotiations, “authorities in Bangui said they are unable to pay the amount. Instead, they hope to compensate Russia with strategic and mineral resources, notably gold, uranium, and iron.”
Wagner has protected President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, trained CAR forces, and helped secure a 2023 constitutional referendum that extended his power. In return, Wagner gained control over key gold and diamond concessions. The Kremlin’s push to phase out Wagner follows the 2023 death of its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in a plane crash, and signals Moscow’s attempt to centralize control over military operations in Africa. While Mali has already accepted the Africa Corps, CAR officials fear the group’s training-first approach and lack of combat credibility could destabilize the fragile security situation. As talks continue, Wagner remains entrenched — militarily and economically — while Africa Corps looms as Russia’s preferred future.