Ex-Wagner Fighters in CAR Traffick Gold and Drugs, WSJ Reports
Former members of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, operating in the Central African Republic (CAR), have established themselves as major gold traffickers and drug dealers. These illicit activities are reportedly conducted outside the reach of security forces and even Moscow. According to The Wall Street Journal, several hundred Wagner remnants are involved in this operation. They are allegedly led by Pavel Prigozhin, the son of the group's founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin. The group is said to be dealing in what is described as "cocaine for the poor," a substance likely referring to amphetamines or other cheaper stimulants. Simultaneously, they are involved in smuggling gold, a valuable commodity often found in the region. This shift in operations highlights the group's adaptation and continued influence in CAR following the demise of its founder and the broader implications for regional stability.
The reported activities of former Wagner Group members in the Central African Republic suggest a decentralized and opportunistic evolution of mercenary networks following leadership changes. The involvement in gold trafficking and illicit drug sales indicates a pivot towards resource exploitation and local criminal economies, potentially filling power vacuums. This operational shift, occurring beyond the direct oversight of Russian state actors, raises questions about accountability and the long-term stability implications for the region. The group's continued presence and engagement in illegal markets underscore the challenges of state control and the persistent influence of non-state armed actors in resource-rich but governance-challenged environments.
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