Russia has urged the Central African Republic to replace the Wagner Group with its state-run Africa Corps and begin paying in cash for military support, the Associated Press has reported.

According to the AP, Moscow is pressuring the CAR to transition its military partnership from the Wagner Group to Africa Corps, a unit directly controlled by the Russian Ministry of Defence. Unlike Wagner, which operated largely in exchange for mining concessions, Moscow is now seeking direct financial compensation for security services, a shift the government is resisting, the report said.

Wagner personnel have played a central role in protecting President Faustin-Archange Touadéra's administration, particularly during the 2023 constitutional referendum that removed presidential term limits. In exchange, Wagner gained access to CAR’s gold, iron and uranium reserves.

However, following the 2023 death of Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin in a plane crash, Russia has begun dissolving the group’s African operations. Mali transitioned to Africa Corps earlier this year. According to a senior military official cited by AP, CAR is now being asked to cover costs amounting to billions of XOF (millions of dollars), instead of offering mining rights.

Officials in Bangui are resisting the proposal. They argue that Wagner’s experience, autonomy and close integration with local forces make it more effective than Africa Corps, which is seen as largely focused on military training rather than combat operations.

CAR has reportedly offered continued access to mineral concessions in lieu of cash, but negotiations remain unresolved. The country’s bargaining position is weakened by deteriorated relations with Western partners, including France, which withdrew its remaining troops in 2022 following a breakdown in diplomatic ties.

Associated Press noted that the Kremlin may impose the transition unilaterally, as it did in Mali. CAR remains dependent on Russian military backing amid a fragile internal security environment and ongoing rebel threats.