The delegation stated on Wednesday (December 15) that the EU has suspended its soldier training missions in the Central African Republic (CAR) due to concerns that Russian mercenaries violate international law.
The European Union Training Mission in the Central African Republic (EUTM RCA) stated that since 2016, it has provided consultation, education and training to more than 3,400 members of the Central African Republic’s forces to help them stabilize a country facing multiple insurgency.
Its work has become complicated due to the presence of hundreds of Russian agents, including many from the Wagner Group, a Russian private military contractor, who has been working closely with the Central African Republic military since 2018.
“We need to ensure that EUTM-trained soldiers are not hired by Wagner mercenaries,” an EUTM RCA spokesperson told Reuters. “At the moment, we have no response.”
He said that EUTM will continue to provide advice to CAR forces.
A spokesperson for the Central African Republic government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
UN experts stated that Wagner members in the Central African Republic violated human rights, including summary executions, arbitrary detention and torture.
The European Union imposed sanctions on Wagner on Monday, accusing him of conducting secret operations on behalf of the Russian government.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that Wagner neither represents the Russian state nor is paid by him. He also stated that private military contractors have the right to work anywhere in the world as long as they do not violate Russian law.
Reuters could not reach Wagner Group for comment.
The European Union is shocked by reports that Wagner’s forces may also be deployed to Mali to help the government there to combat Islamic radicals associated with Al-Qaida and the Islamic State.
France is a former colonial power of the Central African Republic and Mali, and has long-term military ties with French-speaking African countries. Analysts believe that Wagner’s deployment is part of Russia’s strategy, aimed at undermining these strategies.
The United States said on Wednesday that it was “shocked” by the possible deployment of Wagner to Mali. The Malian authorities declined to comment specifically on the Wagner report, but said they have the right to cooperate with any security partner of their choice.
