In the heart of Africa, the Central African Republic (CAR) has become a stage for a complex power play. Rwandan and Russian forces have both been deployed to this fragile country, each at the invitation of the CAR government.
Their mission is to help fight rebel groups and bring peace to a nation long troubled by conflict. However, reports have emerged of tensions and overlapping operations between these forces. While it is not a full-scale war, the situation is increasingly delicate and complicated.
Rwanda’s role in CAR has grown significantly. Kigali is the main provider of blue helmets for the United Nations peacekeeping mission there. Alongside that, Rwanda has sent soldiers under a direct bilateral agreement with CAR.
Their efforts go beyond military presence; they are helping build institutions and improve stability. At the same time, Rwanda is securing mining rights and land for agriculture projects, which has raised concerns locally.
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The partnership between CAR and Rwanda has brought positive results. Many Central Africans appreciate the presence of Rwandan troops who help maintain peace.
However, there is also a feeling that Rwanda’s business activities may create unfair competition for local entrepreneurs. This mix of security cooperation and economic interest puts Rwanda in a complex position, especially as another major security partner is also active in CAR: the Russian Wagner Group.
The Wagner Group is a private Russian military company with significant influence in CAR. Unlike Rwanda’s official troops, Wagner operatives are often seen as mercenaries with a controversial record.
They have been accused of serious abuses, including violence against civilians, torture, and summary executions. This creates mistrust between Rwanda and Wagner forces, even though both are working under the CAR government’s umbrella.
A major source of tension is the risk of clashes between Rwandan soldiers and Wagner mercenaries, especially near valuable mining sites. For example, in 2022, Russian forces blocked a Rwandan convoy escorting miners near Bambari, in central CAR. On another occasion, Russians pushed Rwandan troops out of a mine in the same region.
Such confrontations could happen again in places where both sides operate closely, such as Lobaye province, where Rwanda’s military base at Bokoko is just 40 kilometers from Wagner’s camp at Berengo.
This rivalry over mineral wealth is dangerous. The Ouaka region, rich in gold, is highly contested. Wagner controls parts of this area using local militias called the “Black Russians.” If Rwandan businesspeople expand into Ouaka, Wagner-linked militias could attack them and any Central Africans working with Rwanda. This could spark cycles of violence and deepen local conflicts.
Beyond the battlefield, the competition extends to military training. Wagner has been the main trainer of the CAR army since 2018. But with Rwanda’s troops now authorized to open training centers, a new rivalry has emerged. If these roles and responsibilities are not clearly defined, tensions between Russian mercenaries and Rwandan soldiers could worsen.
The involvement of Western countries also affects this fragile balance. The United States, impressed by Rwanda’s military professionalism, especially their success in Mozambique against jihadists, may back Rwanda as a counterweight to Wagner.
In secret talks in late 2022, the U.S. pushed for reducing Wagner’s influence in CAR, using Rwanda as a key partner. However, this has angered some members of CAR’s government close to Wagner, who resist any move against the Russian mercenaries.
Wagner itself may be fueling the rivalry by spreading propaganda. Central African civil groups have called Rwandan troops ineffective, echoing messages linked to Wagner. The Russian Cultural Centre in Bangui reportedly hosted talks accusing the U.S. of using Rwanda to increase its influence in CAR. Rwanda has stayed quiet on these allegations but remains wary of this hostile narrative.
All these incidents highlight a critical challenge for CAR’s president, Faustin-Archange Touadéra. He struggles to control his foreign security partners, whose actions sometimes undermine peace and stability. This fragmentation makes it difficult to build lasting security and trust in the country.
For Rwanda, the path forward is clear but difficult. To strengthen its position as a key peacekeeper in Africa, Kigali needs to focus on supporting peace and stability above all.
Prioritizing economic interests risks deepening conflict and damaging its reputation. Meanwhile, the uncertain future of Wagner after its failed rebellion in Russia adds another layer of unpredictability to the situation.
While there is no outright war yet between Rwandan and Russian forces in CAR, the tension is real and growing. The delicate balance between cooperation and rivalry could tip into conflict if not managed carefully. The world watches as two powerful forces navigate a complex battlefield of influence, resources, and survival in the Central African Republic.
