The US private military company Bancroft Global Development is reportedly in talks with the government of Central African Republic (CAR) over “future activities,” as the Russian mercenary group Wagner is in the process of reorganization following the death of its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. The death of Wagner’s leader has created a window of opportunity in the CAR for Western powers to offer an alternative. “The United States is also offering the [CAR] to train its soldiers, both on Central African soil and on American soil,” he added. As this battle for Influence rages in the heart of Wagner’s operations in Africa, experts point out that the CAR government’s shifting policy priorities could see the Russian mercenary group’s influence challenged in the conflict-riven country. In any case, experts believe that rivalry between powers in the region was set to intensify in the coming year.

Source: The North Africa Journal December 29, 2023 05:23 UTC