Human rights advocates and opposition leaders in the Central African Republic allege Russian mercenaries kidnapped two soldiers who vanished after being detained in January. Celestin Bakoyo and Elie Ngouengue—Wagner Group-aligned militia leaders—were arrested in Bangui amid rising clashes between state forces and rebel factions. The Kremlin’s expanding influence in the mineral-rich nation faces scrutiny as protests demand transparency over the soldiers’ fates.
Ernest Mizedio, a regional politician, confirmed the pair’s arrest followed attempts to integrate militia members into the national army.
“They said they knew nothing. Our searches yielded nothing,”he told AP, referencing inquiries made to Russian security contractors. Demonstrations erupted in southeastern CAR, reflecting public distrust of foreign military operations.
A police officer, speaking anonymously, claimed Russian mercenaries increasingly replace local forces in conflict zones. Bakoyo and Ngouengue had traveled to Bangui to access army salaries before disappearing—a detail intensifying suspicions of systemic targeting.
Joseph Bindoumi, head of CAR’s human rights league, condemned the alleged kidnappings:
“Even criminals have the right to visibility. Families deserve answers.”Meanwhile, Obo residents expressed outrage over militia control tactics, with local Robert Mboli stating,
“We’ll protest until Russia explains this betrayal.”
Key issues driving unrest:
- Lack of accountability for alleged military abductions
- Wagner Group’s controversial integration strategies
- Growing backlash against Russia’s regional footprint
CAR’s reliance on Russian mercenaries dates to 2021, when they repelled rebel attacks on Bangui. However, U.S. watchdog The Sentry reported rampant human rights violations, including torture and rape by Wagner-trained forces. As Russia expands its African operations, this incident underscores tensions between security partnerships and civilian safety.
