A monument honoring the late leader of Russia’s Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has been inaugurated in the Central African Republic (CAR). The statue, which also features his close associate Dmitry Utkin, both of whom perished in a plane crash last year, is located in the capital city of Bangui.
The sculpture depicts Prigozhin in protective gear, holding a walkie-talkie, alongside Utkin, who is armed with an AK-47 rifle. The Wagner Group has been active in CAR since 2018, following an invitation from President Faustin-Archange Touadéra to assist in combating rebel factions.
The group’s affiliates have secured contracts for the operation of gold and diamond mines and are also active in several other African nations, with their most substantial operations in CAR.
According to a statement from the CAR national police, the monument symbolizes the “bilateral relationship” between CAR and Russia.
The event marking the unveiling of the statues was graced by Defence Minister Rameau Claude Bireau and senior military leaders.
On August 23, 2023, Prigozhin and Utkin, along with several others, lost their lives when their private jet crashed in the north-west region of Moscow, resulting in the death of everyone on board.
This incident occurred two months following their failed mutiny in Russia. The Kremlin has dismissed any allegations of involvement in the crash.
The Wagner Group has since been rebranded as Corps Africa, although it still operates under the Wagner name in the Central African Republic.
