BANGUI, Central African Republic — Authorities have reported that ten individuals, comprising six motorcycle taxi operators and four passengers, were brutally killed by armed assailants near the diamond mining hub of Bria. The incident occurred as the victims were returning from a religious event in the town of Ippy to Bria, which serves as the capital of the Haute-Kotto region.

Jacques Tafogo, a local member of parliament, shared the harrowing details of the attack, stating that the victims were tied up before being executed, and their motorcycles were subsequently set ablaze. In his comments, Tafogo emphasized the atmosphere of fear enveloping the town, noting that military forces are currently deployed in the area, working alongside Wagner Group mercenaries from Russia.

While the identity of the attackers remains unknown, Bria has been a focal point of violence involving state military forces and the Coalition of Patriots for Change, a militant group opposing the government, in recent years. Following the establishment of the Kimberley Process in 2003, diamond exports from this region have been restricted in efforts to curb the trade of “blood diamonds” that exacerbate conflict in Africa.

The ongoing conflicts in Central African Republic (CAR) date back to 2013 when mainly Muslim rebels overthrew then-president François Bozizé. Attempts to mitigate violence were made through a peace agreement in 2019, yet the situation remains volatile, with six of the fourteen groups that initially signed the deal opting out later on. The Coalition of Patriots for Change arose in 2020 as a result of the deteriorating situation.

Wagner mercenaries, aligned with the Kremlin, were among the first foreign forces to operate in the country, allegedly to combat rebel factions and restore order. However, instead of promoting stability, they have faced allegations of severe human rights abuses while also supporting the military regime led by Faustin-Archange Touadéra, who has been in power since March 2016.

In the aftermath of the recent attack, Haute Kotto’s military police commander, Robestin Yamandé, announced that the army is coordinating a military operation in the vicinity to address the situation, reportedly with assistance from their Russian counterparts.