The UN envoy to the Central African Republic on Wednesday accused the country’s security forces and their Russian allies of several human rights violations.
The Central African Republic’s closer relationship with Moscow dates back to 2018, when Russia sent “instructors” to help train its besieged armed forces and supplied small arms and were relieved of the UN arms embargo.
One of the world’s poorest countries, the Central African Republic, has been chronically unstable since gaining independence from France in 1960.
Mankeur Ndiaye told the UN Security Council that human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law were “attributed to the Central African Armed Forces, the bilateral forces and other security personnel”, referring to the hundreds of Russian paramilitaries deployed in the country.
The Central African Republic has become a key area in the controversy over the role of Wagner’s mercenary group in Africa, which is allegedly run by the shady businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin, a close confidant of President Vladimir Putin.
Prigozhin was sanctioned by Washington who accused him of playing a role in interfering in the 2016 presidential election, especially through his internet “magic factory”. He has denied any involvement.
The US Deputy Ambassador to the UN Richard Mills also spoke out against the paramilitaries.
“We are also concerned about continued reports of Central African Armed Forces and Russian instructors committing violations of international humanitarian law,” he said. “They seem (as a) direct extension of Russia’s Ministry of Defense.”
France’s UN ambassador, Nicolas de Riviere, also raised concerns about armed groups.
“Some will try to deny the presence of the Wagner company. Who are these men involved in the fighting … and who are they responsible for their actions?” he asked.
Earlier this month, France suspended aid and military cooperation in the Central African Republic due to what it says is the government’s failure to stop “massive disinformation campaigns” aimed at French officials.
Last week, Paris also criticized Russia for “taking power” in its former colony.
Russia also provides personal protection to President of the Central African Republic Faustin Archange Touadera and his powerful national security adviser, Valery Zakharov, is a Russian.
“The deployment of bilateral forces will only be useful and legitimate if they contribute to the protection of civilians from the abuse of armed groups,” Ndiaye said.
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