Central African Republic Commemorates Wagner Group Founder’s Contributions with Statue

The Central African Republic unveiled a statue honoring Yevgeny Prigozhin and Dmitriy Utkin, signifying gratitude towards Russia for its military support. Despite its rich natural resources, CAR faces severe poverty and political instability, having relied on Russian military assistance since 2017 to combat rebel factions and restore security.

The Central African Republic (CAR) has solidified its ties with the Kremlin by inaugurating a statue of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the late founder of the Wagner Group, and his associate Dmitriy Utkin in Bangui. This monument symbolizes CAR’s appreciation for Russia’s role in maintaining security over recent years, fostering stability in a nation recovering from civil strife. Additionally, Russia’s military presence, established in 2017 under a military-technical cooperation agreement, was pivotal in supporting the central government and countering rebel factions.

The statue depicts Prigozhin in protective gear with a walkie-talkie, standing beside Utkin, who is armed with an AK-47. Following a fatal plane crash in August 2023, which also claimed the lives of others onboard, this tribute emphasizes the ongoing relationship between CAR and the Wagner Group, now rebranded as Corps Africa. President Faustin-Archange Touadéra has championed Russian assistance, asserting that their military cooperation has effectively reduced the control of armed groups within the country.

Despite significant natural resources including diamonds and gold, CAR remains extremely impoverished, ranking towards the bottom of the Human Development Index. The nation has struggled politically since gaining independence from France in 1960, facing numerous coups and civil wars. Following several tumultuous decades, Touadéra emerged as a leader by winning elections in 2015 and has since cultivated a beneficial partnership with Russia.

The Central African Republic is a resource-rich nation, yet it grapples with extreme poverty and developmental challenges exacerbated by a history of civil conflict and political instability. In 2017, Russia entered the scene, offering military support as part of a strategic partnership, hoped to facilitate economic growth and improve security conditions. Prigozhin’s Wagner Group not only provided military assistance but also gained access to the country’s extensive natural resources, reflecting a complex dynamic between external military intervention and local governance. The recent unveiling of the statue marks a significant gesture of gratitude from the CAR government to Russia for its continued collaboration.

The dedication of a statue to Yevgeny Prigozhin in the Central African Republic highlights the profound relationship between CAR and Russia, particularly through military cooperation initiated since 2017. Despite its wealth of natural resources, CAR remains one of the world’s poorest countries, struggling with its tumultuous political history. The ongoing partnership with Russia symbolizes a possible path towards stability and development, yet it raises concerns regarding the nature of foreign military interventions and resource exploitation in African nations.

Original Source: moderndiplomacy.eu