Regular deployments by security forces have brought stability to the Sica II neighborhood after weeks of deadly robberies that killed six people, though residents continue to call for restored street lighting to deter crime (Journal de Bangui)
Russia Asks CAR to Replace Wagner With Moscow’s Africa Corps
Russia has requested that the Central African Republic (CAR) replace Wagner mercenaries with the state-run Africa Corps and pay for security services in cash rather than minerals; however, Bangui is resisting, citing Wagner’s frontline combat role and a preference for mineral-based payments (AP)
Moscow, which is phasing out Wagner after the 2023 death of its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, is reportedly seeking billions of CFA francs, an amount CAR says it cannot afford, offering gold, uranium, and iron instead (AP)
ICC Ruling on Central African Republic
The International Criminal Court (ICC) found two men guilty of leading Christian-dominated militia attacks on Muslims in the country in 2013 and 2014 (Al Jazeera)
It sentenced them to up to fifteen years in prison; they had pleaded not guilty (Reuters)
Eleven Killed in Shooting at Wagner-Controlled Gold Mine in Ndamissa
At least eleven people were shot dead at the Wagner Group-controlled Ndamissa gold mine; residents are prohibited from accessing the mine, and the victims were reportedly at the site searching for gold residue and gravel when shot (AP)
A villager said some residents remain missing, adding that the unemployed youth in the region often resort to searching the mine at night for gravel to sell (AP)
UN Peacekeeping Chief Warns Sudan Conflict is Spreading to CAR
The UN peacekeeping chief warned that the conflict in Sudan is spilling into CAR, which is already facing rebel violence; this follows the killing of a UN peacekeeper by Sudanese armed groups and sightings of Rapid Support Forces (RSF) vehicles in CAR’s Am Dafok and Aouk areas (AP)
December Elections Seen as a “Critical Opportunity” for CAR
The approaching local, legislative, and presidential elections scheduled for December 2025 pose an opportunity to “strengthen democratic governance, promote reconciliation, and consolidate stability” in CAR, the Secretary-General for Peace Operations told the Security Council; despite technical difficulties and a humanitarian crisis, the UN peacekeeping mission, MINUSCA, has achieved a major breakthrough in nationwide registration (UN News)
At least 29 students, including 16 girls, were killed and more than 260 wounded during higher education exams at Barthelemy Boganda High School, in the capital Bangui, following an explosion linked to an attempted power restoration at an on-site electrical transformer; the blast triggered a stampede, with some students reportedly jumping from the building and others crushed in the rush to escape (AP)
UN Peacekeeper Killed and Another Injured in Attack by Sudanese Armed Group
A Zambian peacekeeper was killed during an attack by armed men who, suspected to be a part of a Sudanese paramilitary group, attacked a UN peacekeeping patrol team close to the Central African Republic’s border with Sudan in the Am-Sissia 1 village; a second peacekeeper was injured and is receiving medical attention (AP)
Rebels Kill at Least Four in Strike Against Mining Town
At least four people were killed following an attack on a Chinese-run gold mining town; according to a local government official, an alliance of rebel groups associated with former President François Bozizé executed the strike in Gaga, a village about 125 miles from the capital city of Bangui (AP)
Journalist Jailed Over Report on Bozizé’s Suspected Return
Landry Ulrich Nguéma Ngokpélé, editor of the independent newspaper Le Quotidien de Bangui, was arrested and jailed over his publication’s report on the suspected return of former president Bozizé to Bangui, the capital city; Bozizé is sought by the International Criminal Court for possible crimes against humanity, and aided by a rebel group seeking to overthrow the 2020 government administration (CPJ)
U.S. Reorganizes Embassy in Bangui Amid Diplomatic Restructuring
The United States has reportedly decided not to appoint a new ambassador to the Central African Republic following the departure of the previous envoy last month; a chargé d’affaires will represent U.S. interests in Bangui moving forward (Africa Intelligence)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeled the reports as “fake news” (FT)
MINUSCA Suspends Patrols in Southeastern CAR After Peacekeeper’s Death
The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) has suspended patrols in the Haut-Mbomou region, following the fatal shooting of a peacekeeper by armed individuals on March 28 (Africa Intelligence)
Protesters Demand President Touadéra Not Seek Third Term
Demonstrators called on President Faustin-Archange Touadéra to refrain from seeking a third term in the upcoming elections, expressing concerns over potential constitutional violations and political instability (AFP)
Protesters Demand President Touadéra Not Seek Third Term
Demonstrators in the Central African Republic called on President Faustin-Archange Touadéra to refrain from seeking a third term in the upcoming elections, expressing concerns over potential constitutional violations and political instability (AFP)
Thousands Protest Against Russian Wagner Mercenaries in CAR
Thousands of Central Africans rallied in Bangui to protest against the presence and activities of Russian Wagner mercenaries, accusing them of human rights abuses and calling for their departure from the country (AP)
UN Chief Condemns Killing of Kenyan Peacekeeper
UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the killing of a Kenyan peacekeeper in the Central African Republic, emphasizing the need for accountability and reaffirming the UN’s commitment to supporting peace efforts in the region (UN)
Kenyan UN Peacekeeper Killed in Ambush in Eastern CAR
A Kenyan peacekeeper serving with the UN mission in the Central African Republic was killed during an ambush by unidentified armed elements in the eastern part of the country; the UN condemned the attack and initiated an investigation (AP)
Wagner Group Moves to Reassert Control in Southeastern CAR
After a period of diminished presence due to local militia resistance, Russian paramilitary group Wagner conducted operations, including arrests, to reestablish influence in the Haut-Mbomou prefecture of southeastern Central African Republic (Africa Intelligence)
Former Prime Minister Dondra’s Brothers Arrested Amid Political Tensions
Christian and Eusèbe Dondra, brothers of former CAR Prime Minister Henri-Marie Dondra, were arrested in Bangui on suspicions of financial misconduct; the arrests are linked to political rivalries, notably involving businessman Sani Yalo, an ally of President Touadéra (Africa Intelligence)
President Touadéra Seeks Enhanced Russian Support Amid Election Preparations
With nine months until the Central African Republic’s presidential election, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra is negotiating increased military, mining, and political cooperation with Russia, further distancing Bangui from Western partners (Africa Intelligence)
UN: Armed Groups Carrying Out Attacks on Muslim Communities and Sudanese Refugees
The UN revealed in a report that armed groups operating in the southeastern Haut Oubangui region have been routinely targeting Muslim communities and Sudanese refugees; Wagner Ti Azande, a group with ties to the national army, is thought to be mostly responsible for the attacks, which include forms of violence like gang rape, widespread looting, and forced labor (JURIST)
The government of the Central African Republic responded by saying it had arrested members of Wagner and was planning to organize a Tribunal of Grande Instance to address human rights violations (AllAfrica)
UN Peacekeepers Accused of Human Rights Violations
An independent investigator and human rights lawyer, Yao Agbetse, has revealed there is evidence to suggest UN peacekeeping forces stationed in the Central African Republic are engaging in human rights violations against the local population; the UN has pledged to investigate the allegations, while Agbetse is set to present his findings to the UN Human Rights Council in September (AP)
Rebel Attack Kills Nine in CAR Village of Nzoroh
Rebels from the 3R militia claimed that a dispute over oxen motivated the attack, which also resulted in over seven-hundred homes being burned down (AP)
United Kingdom Warns Russia Intends to Interfere in 2025 CAR Elections
Britain’s deputy United Nations (UN) ambassador stated he has information that Russia intends to use its “proxies” to influence elections in the country through disinformation and voter suppression (AP)
Attack on UN Patrol Kills Tunisian Peacekeeper
The attack occurred in the northern Bamingui-Bangoran prefecture, where unknown assailants targeted the patrol, which serves to protect civilians under the United Nations’ (UN) broader stabilization mission in the country (UN)
Central African Republic Leader Holds Talks With Putin
Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra is discussing how to deepen bilateral cooperation in a Moscow meeting today with Russian President Vladimir Putin; paramilitary fighters from Russia’s Wagner Group have supported government forces in the Central African Republic since 2018 (AFP)