Russian Mercenaries Take Control Of Eastern CAR Seeking Control Of Gold Mines

Russian mercenaries have taken control of the border zone shared by the Central African Republic, South Sudan and Sudan, effectively turning a region known for its gold mines into a “gray zone” controlled by a private military corporation.

Russia’s Lobaye Invest, which is affiliated with the Wagner Group, controls mining operations in eastern CAR. With little to no state presence in that region, Russian mercenaries have established draconian rules on the miners working there: no hunting...