New allegations of horrific crimes have emerged in the Central African Republic, once again implicating mercenaries associated with the Wagner Group. The alleged victims include former combatants participating in a disarmament initiative and innocent civilians. General Ndalé, a prominent antibalaka warlord, has unequivocally stated that images circulating confirm his own men were among those brutally killed. In response, the Central African opposition demands the immediate expulsion of these foreign mercenaries, while civil society groups insist on an end to the prevailing impunity.

A disarmament operation tragically spirals out of control

A disturbing video, which has been widely shared across social media platforms since Tuesday, depicts individuals identified as Russian mercenaries, alongside their Central African auxiliaries — often referred to as “Black Wagner” — standing near several decapitated bodies. This gruesome footage was reportedly filmed by the Wagner elements themselves. Upon its leak, warlord Ndalé promptly recognized the slain individuals.

According to Ndalé, the victims were members of his faction. He recounts that “the Wagner mercenaries called them, and they agreed to proceed with disarmament.” General Ndalé asserts that these men “had deserted their ranks and departed. While they were regrouping to await the Wagner forces, alongside civilians, the Wagner mercenaries killed all of them, including the civilians.“

This incident is not the first time that crimes have been attributed to mercenaries formerly associated with the Wagner group in the Central African Republic. The democratic opposition expresses deep bitterness and demands a complete and unconditional withdrawal of these mercenaries from national territory.

“There’s a proverb in my culture that says you never see a Guinea fowl leave the bush to peck out a chick’s eye in the village. I cannot accept that forces brought in to support us would turn against our own compatriots,” stated Martin Ziguélé, president of the MLPC and spokesperson for the BRDC. He continued, “This is the principle, because I prefer to state it very clearly: our support for the Central African armed forces is absolute. You cannot come to help someone, replace them, and then turn against them.“

Civil society demands accountability

The government has yet to issue a statement regarding these grave accusations, and attempts to reach officials have proven unsuccessful. Meanwhile, civil society remains indignant. Quentin Ngbouando, leader of the Gwé association, is calling for a robust judicial response.

“For the past 24 hours, there have been lifeless bodies lying on the ground, surrounded by Wagner Group mercenaries who completed an operation of torture and cruel assassination. It is unacceptable for cruelty to triumph over justice, which is why we demand that the government shed light on this situation and that the perpetrators be prosecuted for their crimes,” emphasized Quentin Ngbouando.

Compounding the issue, Russian elements have reportedly become deeply embedded within the Central African Republic’s penal system. Human rights advocates suspect them of being responsible for numerous disappearances at the SRI, the Research and Investigations Section attached to the gendarmerie. Furthermore, there are allegations of murders targeting police officers and instances of threats and physical assaults against judges. Reports from organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, which highlight these attributed acts of violence, have regrettably remained unaddressed to date.