In the capital Bangui, the statue depicts Prigozhin in tactical gear alongside his colleague Dmitru Utkin, showcasing their involvement in regional security operations since 2018.
**Statue Honoring Wagner Group Founder Prigozhin Erected in Central African Republic**
**Statue Honoring Wagner Group Founder Prigozhin Erected in Central African Republic**
A newly unveiled statue in CAR commemorates the late leader of Russia’s Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, amid ongoing ties between Russia and the Central African Republic.
The monument, attended by CAR officials, symbolizes the bilateral relationship between the two nations amidst ongoing challenges in the resource-rich but unstable Central African Republic, which has been marked by decades of conflict and poverty.
A statue honoring Yevgeny Prigozhin, the late founder of Russia’s mercenary Wagner Group, has been officially unveiled in the Central African Republic (CAR), reflecting the group’s considerable influence in the region. Located in the capital city of Bangui, the statue represents not only Prigozhin but also his right-hand man, Dmitru Utkin, both of whom perished in a plane crash on August 23, 2023.
The sculpture features Prigozhin clad in bullet-proof attire with a walkie-talkie, standing alongside Utkin, who is depicted holding an AK-47 rifle. The Wagner Group's presence in CAR began in 2018 when President Faustin-Archange Touadéra invited them to assist in combating local rebel factions. Their operations have since expanded, leading to lucrative contracts for gold and diamond mines.
The CAR national police characterized the unveiling of the statue as a symbol of the strong bilateral ties between CAR and Russia. The event saw attendance from high-ranking officials, including Defence Minister Rameau Claude Bireau.
In comments made last December, President Touadéra defended the Wagner Group’s presence, suggesting that their support had significantly reduced the control of armed groups over the territory. Prior to the recent statue's inauguration, another monument already paid tribute to Russian forces aiding civilians, indicating a broader endorsement of Russia's role in the region.
CAR, rich in natural resources such as diamonds, gold, oil, and uranium, remains one of the poorest nations globally and has been plagued by instability since its independence from France in 1960. Although clashes between rebels and the Wagner-supporting national army occasionally surface, overall violence has diminished.
Critics of Touadéra’s administration contend that the collaboration with Russian mercenaries like Wagner ultimately serves to exploit the country’s resources, perpetuating the cycle of dependence. Prigozhin initially founded Wagner in 2014, focusing on Middle Eastern and African operations before its expansion into the Ukraine conflict.
As observers watch the ongoing developments, the unveiling of Prigozhin's statue signifies not only the legacy of a controversial figure but also the complex relationship between Russia and the Central African Republic amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.
A statue honoring Yevgeny Prigozhin, the late founder of Russia’s mercenary Wagner Group, has been officially unveiled in the Central African Republic (CAR), reflecting the group’s considerable influence in the region. Located in the capital city of Bangui, the statue represents not only Prigozhin but also his right-hand man, Dmitru Utkin, both of whom perished in a plane crash on August 23, 2023.
The sculpture features Prigozhin clad in bullet-proof attire with a walkie-talkie, standing alongside Utkin, who is depicted holding an AK-47 rifle. The Wagner Group's presence in CAR began in 2018 when President Faustin-Archange Touadéra invited them to assist in combating local rebel factions. Their operations have since expanded, leading to lucrative contracts for gold and diamond mines.
The CAR national police characterized the unveiling of the statue as a symbol of the strong bilateral ties between CAR and Russia. The event saw attendance from high-ranking officials, including Defence Minister Rameau Claude Bireau.
In comments made last December, President Touadéra defended the Wagner Group’s presence, suggesting that their support had significantly reduced the control of armed groups over the territory. Prior to the recent statue's inauguration, another monument already paid tribute to Russian forces aiding civilians, indicating a broader endorsement of Russia's role in the region.
CAR, rich in natural resources such as diamonds, gold, oil, and uranium, remains one of the poorest nations globally and has been plagued by instability since its independence from France in 1960. Although clashes between rebels and the Wagner-supporting national army occasionally surface, overall violence has diminished.
Critics of Touadéra’s administration contend that the collaboration with Russian mercenaries like Wagner ultimately serves to exploit the country’s resources, perpetuating the cycle of dependence. Prigozhin initially founded Wagner in 2014, focusing on Middle Eastern and African operations before its expansion into the Ukraine conflict.
As observers watch the ongoing developments, the unveiling of Prigozhin's statue signifies not only the legacy of a controversial figure but also the complex relationship between Russia and the Central African Republic amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.
