2023-04-20 08:01:36
Authorities in the Central African Republic claimed on Wednesday that a prominent rebel group was behind the killing of nine Chinese gold miners last month, despite denials from insurgents.
Justice Minister Arnaud Djoubaye Abazene said the killers were “unquestionably elements of the CPC”, or Coalition of Patriots for Change, citing the final report of an inquest into the March 19 deaths.
The CPC, an alliance of rebel groups formed in December 2020 to overthrow President Faustin-Archange Touadera, denied any involvement in what it called a “despicable and barbaric” act.
She did not provide evidence for her claim that Wagner mercenaries were involved in the murders.
However, the justice minister also refused to provide details of the report accusing the rebels and journalists were not allowed to ask questions during his press conference.
Hundreds of Wagner’s paramilitaries were deployed to the CAR in 2018, and their numbers increased in 2020 to repel a CPC assault on the capital.
The nine miners were employed by the Chinese group Gold Coast at the Chimbolo mine, 25 kilometers from Bambari, the main town in Ouaka prefecture.
During the press conference, Mr Abazene thanked “our Russian allies who managed to neutralize some perpetrators, seize evidence and put the rest of these criminals to flight”.
– Militias vs Wagner –
Two Chinese officials deployed by Beijing also appeared at the press conference, although Abazene declined to identify them and acknowledged that they had not been to the scene of the attack, 400 kilometers (250 miles) east of Bangui.
Chinese President Xi Jinping issued ‘important instructions’ following the killings, demanding an all-out effort to treat the injured, deal with the followingmath in a timely manner, severely punish the perpetrators according to law, and ensure the safety of Chinese citizens .
Two people were seriously injured, China added.
The CAR has been embroiled in civil conflict since 2013, when a coalition of Muslim-majority rebels, the Seleka, ousted former President Francois Bozize.
Militias control large swaths of territory and often clash over access to minerals and other resources, although Russian and Chinese companies dominate gold and diamond mining in the Bambari region.
Civilians are often victims of the conflict, with the United Nations and international aid groups accusing all sides of committing war crimes and crimes once morest humanity.
Since their arrival, Wagner’s mercenaries have helped push most of the rebels back into their home territories, allowing Central African security forces to regain control of several towns and mining operations.
Bangui is also said to have granted Wagner and associated companies contracts for the exploitation of several mines.
Rebel groups have since adopted guerrilla strategies to target Central African soldiers and their Russian allies.
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