BANGUI, Central African Republic — Concerns have been raised regarding human rights violations occurring within the Central African Republic, implicating both United Nations peacekeepers and Russian mercenaries, as reported by an independent investigator.
Yao Agbetse, a seasoned human rights lawyer and independent expert, expressed alarm over the severe human rights breaches in this region. The violations are said to involve not only the Central African armed forces and their allies from the Russian Wagner Group as well as members of MINUSCA, the U.N. peacekeeping mission assigned to the country.
Agbetse commented during a news briefing held Thursday in the nation’s capital, Bangui, stating, “MINUSCA contingents are among the actors on the ground who sometimes commit violations. There have been reports of sexual abuse and exploitation by a number of contingents.” He further highlighted, “Regarding the Russian bilateral forces, there is consistent evidence of misconduct attributed to them, and it is imperative that the authorities take appropriate action.”
His statements concluded an official visit aimed at evaluating the human rights circumstances within the country. Agbetse is scheduled to present his in-depth report to the U.N. Human Rights Council in the upcoming September session.
Addressing sexual abuse and exploitation, Florence Marchal, a spokesperson for MINUSCA, emphasized the organization’s dedication to thoroughly investigating these claims. “The U.N. mission reaffirms that all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse are unacceptable, and that multi-faceted assistance to identified victims, while respecting their dignity, remains the mission’s priority,” Marchal stated. She assured that MINUSCA subjects each accusation to a stringent investigative process, ensuring that severe penalties are imposed when allegations are substantiated.
Attempts to reach the Russian mercenaries operating within the Central African Republic for their comments were unsuccessful via phone.
Meanwhile, the country continues to grapple with conflict as rebel groups, often operating unchecked, obstruct mining operations, despite the nation’s abundant mineral resources, including gold and diamonds. The ongoing turbulence traces back to 2013 when a predominantly Muslim rebel coalition overthrew then-President François Bozizé. While a peace agreement was brokered in 2019, six of the 14 armed factions have since withdrawn from the deal. Wagner Group forces have been credited with preventing rebels from capturing Bangui in 2021.
This nation marks one of the initial settings where Russian-backed Wagner Group mercenaries initiated their presence, pledging to combat rebel factions and restore stability. Wagner has also provided personal security for President Faustin Archange Touadera, playing a crucial role in supporting his power consolidation following a constitutional referendum in July 2023, which may potentially extend his tenure indefinitely.
