U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Firms in Central African Republic Linked to Russian Wagner Group

The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on two firms in the Central African Republic (CAR) linked to the Russian Wagner Group, as part of efforts to “counter Russia’s destabilizing activities in Africa,” according to the U.S. government.

The U.S. Treasury Department accused Mining Industries and Logistique Economique Etrangere of facilitating Wagner security operations and engaging in “illicit mining endeavors” connected to the mercenary group.

Related article: Russia's Growing Influence in Africa: Arms Sales and Military Bases

The Treasury Department stated that Mining Industries was sanctioned for leasing aircraft from another sanctioned Emirati firm, which Wagner used to transport personnel and equipment across Africa. Logistique Economique Etrangere was sanctioned for receiving “hundreds” of shipments of heavy materials from another CAR-based company, which was sanctioned in March this year, that were likely intended for Wagner-linked illicit mining activities.

“The Russia-backed Wagner Group and its network of businesses have exploited the people and natural resources of the Central African Republic to advance the group’s agenda,” said Treasury official Brian Nelson. He added that the United States would continue to use its sanctions authorities to disrupt those supporting Russia’s destabilizing activities in Africa.

In 2023, U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration formally labeled the Wagner Group a “transnational criminal organization,” leading to a wave of sanctions against the mercenary force. In 2022, Human Rights Watch accused Wagner mercenaries of summary executions, torture, and beatings of civilians in CAR between 2019 and 2021.

The group was previously controlled by Yevgeny Prigozhin until his death in a plane crash last August. The U.S. sanctions imposed on Thursday freeze the targeted entities’ assets in the country and prevent any U.S. citizens or entities from doing business with them.

Central African Republic Wants a Russian Military Base

The Central African Republic (CAR) is also considering deploying a Russian military base in its eastern region to enhance border security. In early 2024, President Faustin-Archange Touadera expressed interest in establishing this base to address the challenges posed by various armed groups in the vast and remote eastern area. CAR has hosted foreign military bases before, including French and American ones that were later vacated or withdrawn. Plans for a potential Russian base in Berengo, west of Bangui, have been discussed, with infrastructure capable of accommodating up to 10,000 servicemen for training.

In November 2022, CAR aligned with Russia in a UN General Assembly vote on war reparations for Ukraine. In 2023, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra voiced support for Russian actions in Ukraine.