Russia strengthens foothold in Africa with African corps shift
Russia is replacing mercenaries from the private Wagner Group in Africa with its state armed forces, known as the African Corps, an armed formation under the defence minister. This transition began in the Central African Republic (CAR), where Russia has held considerable influence for years.
What do you need to know?
- Russia replaces the Wagner Group: In the Central African Republic, Russia is introducing the African Corps to formalize its military presence in the country.
- New defence agreement: President Touadera is expected to sign an agreement giving Russia access to mineral resources in exchange for security guarantees.
- Russian influence in the region: Moscow aims to strengthen its position in Africa, potentially affecting the sovereignty of the Central African Republic.
According to the French portal AfricaIntelligence, the Central African Republic plans to terminate an agreement with the Wagner Group made in 2018, replacing it with a new accord with the African Corps. This shift would formalize Russia's military involvement in the CAR and allow it to take over and expand a permanent military base in Berengo, just 80 kilometres west of the capital, Bangui. The base, once the palace of Emperor Bokassa, could accommodate up to 10,000 soldiers, according to estimates by the Central African opposition news agency Corbeau News.
In exchange for the security assurances provided by the Kremlin, the President of the Central African Republic, Faustin-Archange Touadera, would grant Russia full access to the country's mineral resources, mainly gold and diamonds.
Moscow is applying considerable pressure on Touadera to sign a new defence agreement this year, aiming for the first official Russian military units to arrive in the African country at the start of 2026, as projected by AfricaIntelligence.
The Kremlin has selected a strategic time to exert this pressure, as Touadera is gearing up for the presidential elections scheduled for December, relying heavily on Russia's backing.
Russia treats CAR as "conquered territory"
Such an agreement could lead to the erosion of the African country's sovereignty and bolster Russian influence in the region. According to Corbeau News, Russia already treats the Central African Republic as a territory under its control.
"Unlike countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Ethiopia, with whom Moscow is still seeking closer ties, Bangui is seen as a stable, almost dependent partner," Corbeau News reported on Monday. The analysis also highlighted Touadera's absence in Moscow on May 9th, when the Kremlin marked the Western-boycotted anniversary of the end of the Second World War. According to the agency, Moscow did not invite Touadera because his country is "already under its influence."
After the death of Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, Moscow has tightened its grip on military operations in Africa. The Kremlin wants all mercenaries from private military companies to be subordinate to the defence ministry. These forces are present in the eastern part of divided Libya, as well as in Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, and the Central African Republic.
