Wagner fighters arrive in Central Africa

MOSCOW: Several hundred “experienced” Wagner fighters have arrived in the Central African Republic to secure a referendum on July 30, a Russian private security company said on Sunday.

The troubled nation, where Wagner mercenaries are already helping the government fight rebels, will vote on a constitutional change which could enable President Faustin Archange Touadera to seek a third term in office.

“Another plane has arrived in Bangui with instructors to work in the Central African Republic,” said the Officers´ Union for International Security (OUIS) on Telegram.

“The planned rotation continues. Several hundred experienced professionals from the Wagner company are joining the team working in CAR,” said the statement.

“Russian instructors will continue to aid soldiers in the Central African armed forces to ensure security in anticipation of the constitutional referendum scheduled for July 30.”

According to the United States, OUIS is a front company for the Wagner group in CAR. It is run by Russian Alexandre Ivanov, who was placed under American sanctions in January.

In its statement, OUIS said its instructors have been training CAR security forces for more than five years, allowing for an improvement in the general security of the country.