Unveiling the Enigmatic Future of Wagner in the Central African Republic

During his recent visit to the Central African Republic (CAR), Yevgeny Prigozhin, the former boss of the Wagner group, visited la Maison Russe, a cultural center situated near the Russian embassy in the capital. Here, he took selfies with his subordinates and local residents. This institution, with its wide range of activities, serves as a clear representation of how the mercenary group has assumed the role of the Russian state in the country. It also serves as a symbol of the obstacles that President Vladimir Putin faces as he strives to regain control.

The Russian flag flying outside la Maison Russe, or the Russian House, a cultural center in Bangui.

Following Prigozhin's failed coup in June and his untimely death in a plane crash near Moscow just two months later, Russia has been fervently working to consolidate his empire in Africa. This empire comprises of numerous fighters, extensive business interests, and various soft power projects, such as the one mentioned here.

It is unclear what lies ahead for the Wagner group as the Kremlin attempts to gain control of its extensive commercial network. However, indications of the group's future activities in the Central African Republic, one of its initial client states and a testing ground on the continent, are beginning to surface in Bangui. In this location, Russia appears to be consolidating Wagner's operations while maintaining its influence. The intended message from Moscow seems to be that everything is proceeding as normal.

The dominance of Russia is apparent in all aspects. Locals at roadside bars consume Africa Ti LOr beer and Wa-Na-Wa vodka, both produced by a company associated with Wagner. Additionally, fighter jets donated by Russia can be heard flying overhead on missions.

The cultural center proudly displays a Russian tricolor flag fluttering above it. In the courtyard, a carousel adorned with an onion dome spins gracefully. According to Nathalia Dukhan, a senior investigator at The Sentry, a US nonprofit organization that closely tracks Wagner's operations in the Central African Republic, the Maison Russe serves as the central hub for all of Wagner's activities in the country.

The Sentry reports that the center serves as a hub for various activities related to Wagners business ventures. These include the sale of gold and diamonds, as well as hosting VIPs for entertainment purposes. Notably, the center organizes events aimed at promoting Russian culture while projecting a pro-Moscow perspective on international relations, as Dukhan stated. Wagner mercenaries have been present in the CAR since at least 2018, fulfilling roles such as protecting President Faustin-Archange Touadera and training new army recruits. In addition, they have engaged in combat against rebels in the country's long-standing civil conflict, thereby expanding Russia's influence in a nation abundant in minerals. Wagner has obtained valuable mining concessions to explore for diamonds and gold in the country and is deeply involved in the timber industry.

Masked Wagner mercenaries outside a grocery store in the capital.

CNN reported that according to the open-source initiative All Eyes on Wagner, the Russian House is registered as a business in Bangui, but it is not affiliated with the Russian state agency Rossotrudnichestvo, which oversees cultural institutes globally.

"Maison Russe is a clear illustration of the Wagner group's role as a stand-in for the Russian government," All Eyes on Wagner stated to CNN. It further highlighted how Maison Russe serves the interests of both Wagner and Russia by organizing exclusive events to promote Wagner beers, screening Wagner films, hosting Prigozhin, and inviting Russian Ministry of Defense delegations to deliver lectures on Russian-CAR military collaboration. Notably, Dmitry Syty, a former deputy to Prigozhin and an influential figure in the CAR for Wagner, has been leading Maison Russe for an extended period, as stated by the European Council.

However, it is speculated that Syty, who has been sanctioned by the European Union and United States due to severe human rights violations, and narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in December 2022, may have been replaced.

According to reports from local media, a new director named Nafisa has reportedly assumed control of the Russian House. While she was seen in photographs with Prigozhin during his last visit to the CAR, there is no proof of her previous affiliation with Wagner prior to April.

Access to the Russian House is highly limited, with no permission granted to Western journalists. Repeated requests by CNN to film at the center were consistently denied by the purportedly new director. During a clandestine visit conducted by a CNN team equipped with a concealed camera, the individual identifying herself as Nafisa Kiryanova introduced herself.

Anfisa Alexandrovna Kiryanova (right) appears in the background of a photo of Prigozhin outside the Russian House last month.

All Eyes on Wagner/Twitter

CNN has found that she also uses the name Anfisa Alexandrovna Kiryanova, as evidenced by her social media accounts and other linked profiles. A YouTube channel associated with Kiryanova indicates that, as recently as nine months ago, she posted video reviews of cosmetics. Additionally, her online resume states that she worked as a translator and studied at both the Sorbonne in Paris and Moscow State Linguistic University.

During the visit, she wore traditional attire and silver high heels as she briefly showed CNN around the institute. In the vicinity of the center, three tents housed Russian language classes, while a cinema room screened Russian films.

A Wagner mercenary, disguised with a mask, strolled past the tents towards a parking lot situated at the back. Kiryanova refrained from disclosing his identity or allowing CNN access to the restricted area he was heading to.

Upon being confronted by CNN regarding her presence in the background of photographs showing Prigozhin at the center, Kiryanova avoided giving a direct response and questioned: "Oh my God, can you demonstrate that to me?" Reluctantly, after being presented with the pictures, she reluctantly admitted: "Alright, yes, that's satisfactory."

Regarding Prigozhin's visit and the future of Wagner in the CAR, Kiryanova stated that his death has no significance for Russia's mission in the country. "Would it make any difference if, for instance, the president of your country passed away? Does that imply that your country ceases to exist? The mission persists, and the Russian cultural mission continues," she expressed.

When asked about the current oversight of the center, Kiryanova mentioned that Syty is in charge of the overall mission and is also involved in other areas. As of late last week, both Syty and Vitali Perfilev, President Touadera's security adviser from Wagners, who is also under sanctions from the US and European Union, were still present in the CAR. An anonymous diplomatic source informed CNN that the two individuals had recently traveled back to Moscow and returned, indicating that they may have entered into new contracts with Russia's Ministry of Defence.

Both individuals have recently disappeared from public view and have declined multiple interview requests from CNN.

According to a diplomatic official, Wagner has had a significant impact in the CAR despite having only approximately 1,000 mercenaries on the ground. Currently, Russia is implementing a comprehensive restructuring plan aimed at reducing Wagner's operational expenses in the CAR. The official stated that this approach has two main objectives: first, to compel the fighters to sign new contracts, and second, to draw them back to major population centers, thereby consolidating control.

During July and August, transport planes, specifically Ilyushin IL-76, were deployed on a weekly basis to bring fighters back to Moscow for contract signing. Approximately 150 fighters who were taken back have not yet returned, according to the official. It is evident that there is a noticeable increase in troop presence throughout the capital.

Wagner mercenaries are seen driving unmarked pickup trucks in green or sand colors around Bangui. They can be found on the streets and shopping at grocery stores, wearing balaclavas while buying cookies, bananas, and Coca-Cola. These mercenaries always follow the Wagner protocol, which requires them to cover their faces at all times, even in situations like browsing for shoes at a flea market.

According to Fidèle Gouandjika, a senior adviser to President Touadera, despite the failed Wagner mutiny and Prigozhins subsequent death thousands of miles away in the north, there has been little change in the relationship between CAR and Russia.

CNN met with Gouandjika at his mansion in the capital. He stood tall with graying hair, dressed in a T-shirt that boldly displayed the words "Je suis Wagner" - which translates to "I am Wagner" in French. He proudly claimed that it was a gift from Prigozhin himself. Gouandjika regarded the late mercenary boss as not only a friend but his closest and most trusted companion in the eyes of all Central African people.

Fidèle Gouandjika, a senior adviser to President Touadera, outside his mansion in Bangui.

Sebastian Shukla/CNN

"The Russians brought us peace," he stated enthusiastically. He expressed his gratitude towards Mr. Yevgeny Prigozhin, who successfully expelled the rebels within a year, leading to complete control of our country by our own army."

According to Gouandjika, Putin recently had a conversation with Touadera, assuring him that everything will remain as it was yesterday, while promising a brighter future for tomorrow and the days to come. Consequently, he asserted that there were no regrets on their part.

CNNs Gianluca Mezzofiore contributed to this report.