Nine Chinese nationals working at a gold mine in the Central African Republic were killed by gunmen over the weekend, with a rebel coalition suspected of committing the act instead deflecting blame on the infamous Russian Wagner Group.
As reported by the Associated Press, several gunmen breached security at the Chinese-operated Chimbolo gold mine in the early hours of Sunday, opening fire and killing nine Chinese workers and wounding two others. The bodies were transported to Central African Republic’s capital city of Bangui, while local authorities confirmed they are in the midst of pursuing the perpetrators.
For the time being, though, suspicion is being laid on the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC), a series of rebel groups that repeatedly launch similar attacks on Central African Republic forces in the region in support of former president Francois Bozize. “The CPC has not only slowed down the country’s economic momentum, but is now attacking the foundation of development. This is unacceptable,” said Anselme Bangue, a supporter of the country’s current president Faustin Archange Touadera.
The CPC, however, called the accusations false, and instead claimed without supporting evidence that the Wagner Group planned the onslaught “with the goal of scaring Chinese who have been present long before the Russians settled in this part of the country.” Indeed, the elusive Russian mercenary group was invited to the region by Touadera to conduct security services and train the country’s military.
Despite its extensive gold and diamond reserves, Central African Republic is one of the most impoverished countries in the world. The country is under terror from numerous rebel groups, who often target foreign exploration and mining operations.
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