Wagner's future in the Central African Republic without Prigozhin

The facility and its activities stand in stark contrast to the private military's role as a proxy for the Russian government and are emblematic of the obstacles President Vladimir Putin must overcome to regain control.

After Prigozhin’s June coup and the plane crash that led to his death, the Russian government has taken bold steps to regroup Prigozhin’s African empire, which includes thousands of soldiers and a host of businesses that wield soft power like this cultural center.

As the Kremlin tries to rein in Wagner’s vast commercial network, the group’s future remains unclear. But the future of the Central African Republic, one of its earliest clients, is in Bangui, where the Russian government is bolstering Wagner’s operations and continuing to leverage its influence. And that seems to be Moscow’s message: Business as usual.

Russian influence is everywhere in the country. At roadside stands, people drink Africa Ti L'Or beer and Wa-Na-Wa vodka, both produced by a Wagner company. At the same time, Russian-supplied fighter jets fly overhead.

Photo: CNN.

At the cultural center, Russian flags flutter. Outside, a carousel rotates over the center's forecourt.

“Maison Russe is the hub for all Wagner activities in the Central African Republic,” said Nathalia Dukhan, a senior investigator at The Sentry, a US-based nonprofit that closely tracks Wagner’s activities in the Central African Republic.

According to The Sentry, the center hosts a variety of Wagner business-related activities — the organization uses the center to sell gold and diamonds and host VIPs. They hold events there to “spread Russian culture and promote a pro-Moscow view of international relations.”

Wagner mercenaries have been operating in the Central African Republic since 2018, protecting President Faustin-Archange Touadera and training new army recruits. Wagner soldiers have fought rebels in the decade-long civil war, while also expanding Russia’s influence in the resource-rich country. Wagner has won a series of mining concessions for minerals such as gold and diamonds in the country, and is also heavily involved in the logging industry.

Photo: CNN.

All Eyes on Wagner, a Wagner watchdog group, said Maison Russe is listed as a business in Bangui but is not linked to Rossotrudnichestvo, Russia's state agency that operates Russian cultural institutions around the world.

“Maison Russe is a prime example of how Wagner has become a representative of the Russian government.” The center serves the interests of Wagner and Russia: “Promoting Wagner beer through special events, promoting Wagner companies, catering to Mr. Prigozhin and inviting delegations from the Russian Ministry of Defense to speak about military cooperation between Russia and the Central African Republic.”

According to the European Commission, the centre has long been run by Dmitry Syty, a former senior member of Mr Prigozhin's staff who played a “leading role” in the Central African Republic for Wagner.

However, Mr Syty, who is under sanctions from the European Union and the United States over allegations of “serious human rights violations” and survived an assassination attempt in December 2022, may have been replaced.

Local media have reported that a new director has replaced him at Maison Russe and refer to her as Nafisa. She appeared in a photograph of Mr Prigozhin on his last visit to the Central African Republic, but there is no evidence that she was involved with Wagner before April.

It is very difficult to get into Maison Russe. Western press are not allowed in the premises, and CNN's requests to film there have been repeatedly denied by the new director.

When a group of reporters showed up at the center carrying hidden cameras, she introduced herself as Nafisa Kiryanova.

Photo: All Eyes on Wagner/Twitter.

According to social media and records, CNN discovered that she also goes by another name: Anfisa Alexandrovna Kiryanova. A YouTube channel linked to her shows that just nine months ago, she was still posting videos reviewing cosmetics. In a resume posted online, she said she worked as a translator and studied at the Sorbonne University in Paris and the Russian International Language University.

She welcomed CNN and gave a brief introduction to the center. In three tents outside the center, some Russian language classes are being held and a cinema room is showing Russian films.

A masked man, who appeared to be a Wagner soldier, walked past the tent toward the parking lot behind the center. Kiryanova would not confirm the man's identity or allow CNN into the restricted area the man entered.

When CNN asked her about her appearance in a photo of Mr. Prigozhin, she seemed evasive and asked: “Can you show me?” After being shown the photo, she only reluctantly admitted it.

Referring to Prigozhin's visit and Wagner's future in the Central African Republic, she insisted that his death would not affect Russia's mission in the country.

“If your president dies, what will change? Will your country cease to exist? The mission will continue, the mission of spreading Russian culture will continue.”

Photo: CNN.

Asked who runs the center, Ms. Kiryanova said that Mr. Syty “is responsible for running the mission and he also runs some other activities.”

Syty and Wagner’s security adviser to President Touadera, Vitali Perfilev (who has also been sanctioned by the EU and the US), were among the key members of Wagner who remained in the Central African Republic until last week. The two have since returned to Moscow and are back, suggesting they may have signed new contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense, said an official who asked not to be identified.

Both men have not been seen in public in recent months and have repeatedly declined CNN's interview requests.

Wagner left its mark in the Central African Republic with just 1,000 soldiers, the official said. Now the Russian government has begun an organizational restructuring aimed at reducing Wagner’s operating costs in the Central African Republic. The goal is twofold: to force the soldiers to sign new contracts and to withdraw them to concentrate control over major population centers.

In July and August, IL-76 transport planes took turns bringing soldiers to Moscow to sign contracts, of which 150 soldiers have not yet returned to Moscow.

There are signs that Russia is regrouping troops across the capital.

Photo: CNN.

Wagner soldiers move around Bangui in unmarked trucks, either green or sand-brown. They cruise the streets and shop in grocery stores, wearing balaclavas while buying biscuits, bananas, Coca-Cola. Wagner demands that they keep their faces covered at all times, even during normal activities.

Despite the failed coup and the death of Mr Prigozhin thousands of miles to the north, relations between the Central African Republic and Russia have not changed much, said Fidèle Gouandjika, an adviser to President Touadera.

Photo: Sebastian Shukla/CNN.

CNN met Mr. Gouandjika at his villa. Tall and with a gray beard, he wore a shirt with the words “Je Suis Wagner” — French for “I am Wagner” — and he claimed that Mr. Prigozhin had given it to him. “He was a friend, he was my best friend in front of all the Central African people.”

“The Russians gave us peace. We are very happy that Mr. Prigozhin in a short time (just one year) pushed back the rebels and our army controlled 100% of our country.”

Mr. Gouandjika said that Mr. Putin recently discussed with Mr. Touadera and affirmed: “Everything will be the same as yesterday. The situation will be better tomorrow, and the day after that. We have no regrets.”

Nguyen Quang Minh (according to CNN)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/tuong-lai-cua-wagner-tai-cong-hoa-trung-phi-khi-khong-co-ong-prigozhin-a627293.html