Employees of the American private security company Bancroft are currently in the Central African capital, where they are preparing the establishment of the group with a view to offering training and investing in several sectors.
A year ago, American diplomacy made the United States-Africa summit in Washington a meeting to fight against the expansion of the Russian presence on the continent, mainly symbolized by the establishment of the Wagner mercenary group. On this occasion, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken would have propose Central African President Faustin-Archange Touadera offers alternatives to reduce his dependence on Evgueni Prigojine’s men. At the same time, the United States had also extended its sanctions targeting people or companies linked to the Wagner group.
According to a close friend of the Central African head of state, the coming to Bangui of a DTRA mission was discussed during this tête-à-tête, as well as a “ military accompaniment by a five-star general “. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is an agency of the Department of Defense specializing in threats related to weapons of mass destruction. Which may seem strange at first glance, except that it also dispenses with “ training “, notably in the ” border security ”, according to its website. A civil and medical component was also planned, with support for the national laboratory for example. But a year later, “ we are still waiting for them “, explains our interlocutor, “ so perhaps the Americans decided to do like the Russians and use contractors », he adds.
Protection of mining sites and high-end hunting
This contractor would be the private security company Bancroft. Because according to an international security source, Bancroft employees are already in Bangui, looking for land close to the capital, “ to deploy its technical resources, in particular observation drones. »
Bancroft would work the creation of a well-equipped, trained and supervised Central African unit, which would be dedicated to the control and protection of mining concessions » in areas where armed groups operate. According to this source, these deposits would be exploited by “ those close to power “, and the benefits shared between the Central African state, Bancroft, ” and the populations. »
Another possible field of intervention for the group, the training of forest guards “ with the aim of developing high-end hunting » for rich foreign tourists.
“ They are there, but not yet operational », Confirms a close friend of the Head of State, who assures that he does not have any further details. Same response from a leading political figure. Another member of the presidency, if he does not wish to confirm the information on “ a subject followed at the highest level », recalls however that “ Faustin-Archange Touadéra has always said he is open to win-win partnerships “. A third collaborator of the Palais de la Renaissance affirms that for the moment “ the negotiations are not finished, and nothing is signed. »
Several witnesses, on the other hand, say they encountered “ Americans that we didn’t see before, and who are not from Minusca “. Some athletic physiques have been noticed “ in a night club ”, others do not go unnoticed with “ Hawaiian shirts and cigars in your mouth. »
A spokesperson for the State Department assures that the American administration “ did not seek Bancroft’s involvement » and refers to the company to discuss its activities. Bancroft did not respond to emailed questions.
Of the ” listening and interception capabilities » for the presidency
However, the site Africa intelligence had revealed that a delegation from Bancroft had been received by the head of state in September, with a view to his possible installation. At the helm, according to the publication, and as confirmed by our sources, the founder of the group, Michael Stock, and the Franco-South African, Richard Rouget. This troubled character once worked with French mercenary Bob Denard. According to portraits published in the press, he would have had connections with the extreme right and would even have been suspected in the investigation into the assassination in Paris in 1988 of the representative of the ANC in France, Dulcie September.
On the Central African presidency side, Prince-Borel Yaounga Yiko, advisor to Faustin-Archange Touadera, and André Doungoupou would be the two men responsible for establishing the link with Bancroft. According to our information, the American company would put “ available with listening and interception capabilities » in the service of the first, who would direct an intelligence cell at the presidency. As for the second, it is presented as “ the president’s steward and financier » by several specialists in the country.
On the African continent, Bancroft has already worked in Somalia, Uganda, Kenya and Libya. The company introduces itself like an NGO or a non-profit organization, but it is indeed a PMC, a private military company », Details a French military source.
What Russian response?
The visit of this delegation to Bangui took place shortly after that of the Russian Deputy Minister of Defense Iounous-Bek Yevkurov, who came to reassure the Central African authorities about Moscow’s involvement in the country after the death of Yevgeny Prigojine, while taking action takeover by the Kremlin of Wagner’s activities. Iounous-Bek Yevkurov also recently visited Bangui again at the end of a new African tour, but this time without meeting President Touadéra, who was absent on that date. At the same time, Russia sent Denis Pavlov, a spy under diplomatic cover, to Bangui to replace Vitali Perfilev, who managed the security part, while Dimitri Sytyi handed over the management of the Russian House, but continues his work with the front companies of the Wagner group which mainly exploit gold, diamonds and forestry resources in the country.
According to our expert, the Americans would have decided to “ target Central Africans in the portfolio ” and of ” compete with Wagner on his field, marking the end of Russian hegemony over the country’s institutions “, he rejoices.
This deployment would explain the administrative difficulties experienced by several Americans in recent months in Bangui, from which a journalist was expelled despite having valid papers, and would result in a certain nervousness among actors close to Wagner’s interests.
According to Charles Bouessel, consultant for International Crisis Group (ICG), “ the stakes are rising. In response, the Russians could increase their troops » estimated at around 1,000 men at the moment, “ to return to almost 2,000, as in 2021 » at the height of the fight against the CPC rebels. These should nevertheless be staff under contract under the new “ african body » on which the Russian Ministry of Defense is working, and whose recruitment conditions are much better than those current within the Wagner group. But this response would prove costly for Moscow, and would even be ” at a loss » estimates a specialist.
Following the arrival of Michael Stock, communication channels close to Russia, relayed by those close to power, announced the arrival “ CIA agents » in Bangui. In recent weeks, sites, pages or media linked to Russian interests have increased anti-American attacks, accusing Washington of preparing unauthorized military operations, of violating Central African sovereignty, of preparing the overthrow, and even the assassination of President Touadéra. . A “ recycling of speeches hostile to France used in recent years », notes a French officer. On the set of the Cameroonian channel linked to Russia, Afrique media, the advisor to the Central African presidency, Jules Njawe, even urged Washington and Moscow to engage in nuclear war elsewhere than in the Central African Republic.
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