Kremlin demands £660,000 weekly for CAR protection from 2026
The Central African Republic will be required to pay £660,000 per week for Russian protection, starting in 2026. The crisis-stricken nation exemplifies the Kremlin's approach to certain African countries. "In the case of many African countries, one can speak of dysfunctional structures," says Dr. Wiesław Lizak from INE.
The Central African Republic will begin paying Russia £660,000 per week for protection in 2026. Within the country, an "African Corps" under the control of the Russian Ministry of Defence will be established.
Members of the Wagner Group remain in the African nation, having protected President Faustin-Archange Touadera. In return, Russia was permitted to exploit the Central African Republic's resources, including gold and diamonds. However, the Wagner Group will be replaced by the African Corps, which the Kremlin will directly oversee. President Touadera has until the end of 2025 to finalise an agreement with Russia.
Russian troops continue to be stationed in the Central African Republic. Fighters from the Wagner Group have initiated the formation of the so-called African Corps. Russia is attempting to increase the cost of their presence, which poses considerable challenges for a poor country like the Central African Republic. This situation raises the question of whether we are witnessing a qualitative change or merely a quantitative one. The Kremlin aims to impose solutions that will formally make President Touadera's government reliant on Moscow," believes Dr. Wiesław Lizak, an expert in international relations in Africa and the Middle East from the New Europe Institute.
The Central African Republic is one of the poorest countries in the world. It receives substantial support from international institutions, including those backed by Western powers. Entering into cooperation with Putin could have severe consequences for the citizens of this country.
Formal ties with Russia may cause international institutions controlled by Western powers to vigilantly monitor the situation in the Central African Republic, particularly regarding potential threats to Western interests arising from Russian expansion. We can anticipate a re-evaluation of the support provided to this country, both financially and politically," admits Wiesław Lizak.
Russia benefits from a lack of stability in Africa
Experts remind us that the Central African Republic has experienced instability for many years. Government structures function inefficiently, with the country experiencing internal conflicts that exacerbate security concerns. The last significant crisis occurred in 2013 when an uprising was launched against the then-president, leading to a French intervention and involvement from the international community. Another rebellion occurred in 2021.
At that time, the Russians played a crucial role in halting the offensive against President Touadera's government, which undoubtedly strengthened the relationship between the Central African Republic and Russia. The president was convinced of the effectiveness of Russian fighters," says Dr. Lizak.
Our interlocutor notes that in many African countries, one can speak of dysfunctional structures for which the West has not developed an effective strategy. It is under such circumstances that an alternative Russian offer of "stabilisation" becomes appealing.
This offer is met with acceptance both from local regimes and sections of the population. In the Central African Republic, between 2013 and 2016, France conducted a military operation aimed at stabilising the internal situation. Although it succeeded in limiting the escalation of conflict and easing tensions, these efforts did not yield lasting stability. The lack of further success meant that the Russian offer — including the deployment of mercenaries — resonated with social expectations. Since 2017, Russia has been consolidating its presence there," says the expert.
Kremlin's strategy in Africa: they want to show they are a power
According to Dr. Lizak, building influence in Africa is part of the Kremlin's strategy to affirm Russia's status as a power. Russians had a presence on this continent during the Soviet Union era, sending economic and military advisors to some countries, selling arms, and forging alliances with others.
Certain traditions of these connections have persisted. Many African countries still possess weapons from that era, and Russia — with its extensive military capabilities — can still offer arms at lower prices than those produced in the West," emphasises Dr. Lizak.
Russia aims to restore its international position, which was undermined after the annexation of Crimea and the outbreak of the conflict in Donbas in 2014. The sanctions imposed on Moscow led to its isolation. By expanding southwards, the Kremlin has sought to compel the West to reopen diplomatic channels.
This context also encompasses the Russian intervention in Syria in November 2015. Without Moscow's support, it's uncertain if Bashar al-Assad's regime would have survived until December 2024. Russia seeks to demonstrate that without acknowledging its interests, it is impossible to resolve international issues. In this manner, it projects the image of a great power," remarks the INE expert.
Playing France
Another aspect of Russia's involvement is the displacement of influence held by countries losing ground on the African continent. This includes France, which had predominantly colonised West Africa for many years. However, between 2020 and 2023, political upheavals in the form of military coups occurred in countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, diminishing Paris's influence. It's no coincidence that Russians have emerged in these nations. The same applies to the Central African Republic.
It is no coincidence that France has also adopted a firmer stance towards Russia in the context of the conflict in Ukraine. It's part of a power rivalry involving the construction of spheres of influence — a process that was thought to have ended after the Cold War, yet geopolitical realities show that such thinking remains prevalent among political elites," concludes Dr. Lizak.
It's also worth noting that the Soviet Union supported the decolonisation of Africa and denounced colonialism, primarily associated with Western European countries aligned on the opposite political spectrum. However, the question remains: is the current Kremlin policy a new form of colonial policy towards African countries? This could have implications for Europe, as the Kremlin might influence migration patterns from this region of the world.
