Ephrem Yalike’s story allows us to measure the influence of Russian mercenaries in the Central African Republic, where the former Wagner group carries out three types of activities: military, economic and informational. On this last point, the Russians have developed their own surveillance and dissemination tools. Progress update on the actors in this system.
5 mins
This survey was carried out as part of investigations coordinated by Forbidden storiesan international network of journalists that continues the work of murdered or threatened journalists. It involves ten partner media including RFI. The whistleblower, who testifies here, was able to leave the Central African Republic with the help of PPLAAF, the Platform for the Protection of Whistleblowers in Africa.
If the organization chart of the Russians in the Central African Republic remains quite opaque, and the impact of developments in Russian mercenary programs after the death of Evgueni Prigojine at the end of August 2023 also remains to be clarified, one thing has not changed in Bangui: the interpenetration of the bosses of the Wagner group and the structure of the Central African state.
The man who best symbolizes this installation is Dimitri Sytyi. This former translator, after leading the disinformation campaigns of the BIC (Bureau of Information and Communication), settled in the Russian House. He is the direct superior of Mikhail Mikhailovich Prudnikovthe boss ofEphrem Yalike. He officially runs the Russian House, a cultural center where films produced by the Wagner group are shown, and where people take Russian lessons to wish Vladimir Putin happy birthday, or to celebrate the Russian Unity Day.
Young Central Africans who study Russian at the Russian House in Bangui congratulate Russian President Vladimir Putin on his birthday, October 7, in a video relayed on Telegram by African Initiative.
Over the years, he has also taken the head of the “business” part of the Wagner nebula, companies which massively exploit golddiamonds, drinknot always legally, and without paying any taxes to the State, the group feeding “on the beast” since the Central African government does not have the financial means to maintain it. The raw materials are evacuated directly by plane, or through the port of Douala in Cameroon, certifications on diamonds and wood are regularly trafficked, in order to facilitate their exploitation, as several investigations have shown. Dubai appears to be a hub for this traffic.
Dimitri Sytyi’s role is so important that, according to certain sources, President Touadéra personally requested that he remain in Bangui, while the Russian government regained control of the external operations of Evgueni Prigojine’s group.
Dimitri Sytyi (here, right), one of the key players in Russian influence in the Central African Republic.
In terms of security, the new arrival is called Dimitri Podolsky. This former executive in Ukraine, injured in war, was appointed security advisor to the Central African presidency.
It works in coordination with Denis Dredneyiresponsible for military operations, but who is also involved in economic operations and, according to Young Africawith Myksim Povroskyresponsible for recruiting fighters.
In this landscape, the role of Denis Pavlov calls out. This agent of the foreign intelligence services (SVR) was appointed to the embassy last year. An arrival considered as proof of takeover by the Russian state apparatus. He would be the liaison officer for the two bosses of the Kremlin’s security policy in Africa: the deputy minister of defense Yunus Bek-Yevkurov and Andrei Averyanovhead of clandestine operations of Military Intelligence (GRU), which toured Africa after the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin.
The question of the number of mercenaries currently deployed in the Central African Republic remains delicate: last June, a Polish report estimated them at 1,600, but a researcher recently passing through Bangui thinks that there are currently a thousand, probably due to the difficulties caused by the contractualization of ex-members of the Wagner group within Russian parastate structures such as the Africa Corps paramilitaries.
Also readAfrica Corps, the Russian paramilitary group following in Wagner’s footsteps in Africa
In the background of the Russian presence are the diplomats, with experienced people present for many years in the country, the ambassador Alexander Bikantovand the business manager Vladislav Ilin.
Central Africans are also leading relays, such as the Minister of Youth and Sports Doneng Heirregularly invited to Moscow, or the anti-French agitators Didacian Kossimatchi of the pro-power “national galaxy” movement, and Euloge Koï Doctrové.
Among Central African politicians known to be close to the Russians: Faithful Gouandjikathe advisor to President Touadéra, the first to openly display himself with a “I am Wagner” t-shirt; the former Prime Minister Firmin Ngrebadawho still enjoys the protection of several mercenaries on his farm in Boali, or even several ministers, including first and foremost Hassan Bouba. The Minister of Livestock, former number 2 of the armed group Unity for Peace in the Central African Republic (UPC), is regularly highlighted by the media subsidized by the Russians, to the point that in recent times he has sparked criticism. distrust of the head of state.
A Facebook post from the Russian Embassy with the Central African Minister of Livestock, Hassan Bouba (second from the right) and the Russian Ambassador to the CAR, Alexandre Bikantov (second from the left)
Contacted by the consortium to comment on Russian information operations in the country, the Central African authorities did not respond to requests.
The episodes of the investigation :
