Dimitri Sytyi appeared on Radio Ndeke Luka on September 22, 2026, to discuss the formation of a new self-defense group in the Central African Republic. Sytyi claimed that young people from the town of Amdafock had "volontairement constitués en groupe d’auto-défense," which translates to "voluntarily constituted themselves into a self-defense group." He further stated that this group chose the name "Wagner Noirs," indicating a connection to the Wagner Group's activities in the region. However, the article explicitly states that no young people from Amdafock voluntarily enrolled in Wagner's mercenary service, directly contradicting Sytyi's assertion.
Origins and Integration
Documented sources indicate that the "Black Russians" fighters were deported from Bambari, Bangui, and Alindao. Most of these individuals are former Peul rebel elements previously associated with Hassan Bouba, who currently serves as the Minister of Urbanism and is considered a Moscow proxy. These fighters were reportedly shaped and armed directly by Wagner, then enrolled in the DDRR (Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration, and Repatriation) program. The article asserts that the FACA General Staff had no involvement in the Amdafock machination, claiming instead that the FACA General Staff operates under the direct tutelage and military command of Wagner. Dimitri Sytyi stated in Bambari that these men carry FACA cards and matricules. This integration into the official military structure, despite their origins and allegiance, raises questions about the true command lines within the Central African Republic's security forces.
Command and Control
On the ground, these fighters reportedly do not obey any national army officers, according to sources. They are said to receive their orders directly from Wagner personnel and Hassan Bouba, who is currently the Minister of Urbanism. This command structure, sources claim, is intended to block the arrival of the official structure of the Russian Ministry of Defense, Africa Corps. Moscow reportedly seeks to impose Africa Corps as a replacement for existing private military structures in the Central African Republic. The reported direct control exercised by Wagner and Hassan Bouba over these units is viewed as an attempt to maintain influence over local security forces amid potential shifts in Russian military presence. This strategic maneuver notes a power struggle over the future of Russia's military footprint and influence in the Central African nation, with Wagner and its local allies working to preserve their operational autonomy.
Amdafock Staging and Strategy
The article claims that no young people from Amdafock voluntarily enrolled in Wagner's mercenary service, contradicting earlier statements. Instead, the Amdafock episode is presented as a survival strategy by the mercenary militia. The initial attack on Amdafock, according to the article, was a setup orchestrated by Wagner and Hassan Bouba. This staging aimed to convince President-Emperor Faustin-Archange Touadéra that only Wagner networks possess the capability to guarantee the country's security. The objective of this staging was to make President-Emperor Faustin-Archange Touadéra believe that only Wagner networks can guarantee the country's security, thereby reinforcing their indispensable role. The report suggests this maneuver serves to reinforce Wagner's perceived indispensable role in the Central African Republic and to block the arrival of the official structure of the Russian Ministry of Defense, Africa Corps, which Moscow seeks to impose as a replacement.
Security Apparatus Time Bombs
Dimitri Sytyi attempted to justify the existence of "Black Wagners" or "Black Russians," described as Central African and foreign fighters who have been trained, armed, and integrated into the FACA. According to reports, Wagner and its local accomplices are creating "time bombs" within the Central African security apparatus by fabricating parallel militias and presenting them as self-defense forces. By fabricating these parallel militias and passing them off as legitimate self-defense forces, Wagner and its local accomplices are reportedly sowing discord and potential instability within the nation's security framework. This strategy could lead to long-term challenges for the Central African Republic's sovereignty and military cohesion.