Countries across Africa are facing coups and terrorist insurgencies. While many chose the United States or France as a counterterrorism and security partner, an increasing number are choosing Russia.

The Kremlin’s private military companies (PMC), such as the Wagner Group, are becoming a malign influence across the continent, propping up dictators and committing human rights violations. Unlike the US and other Western partners, the Russian PMCs do not demand an improvement in human rights or democracy.

The Central African Republic (CAR) has made its decision and it prefers the Russians.

CAR, a land-locked nation of about 5.5 million people, is one of the poorest countries in the world, with an annual per capita GDP of US$461. About 700,000 people have been displaced by sectarian violence, and over 75 percent of the population lives in poverty.

On top of the economic hardship already faced by its citizens, the decision to partner with Russia is worsening people’s lives.

Among the many negative impacts of this decision is that it is causing division within the CAR, as not everyone thinks it is a good idea to reject the Western democracies. It is also driving a wedge between the CAR and the West, decreasing its opportunities for trade and investment, which are desperately needed. At the same time, human rights abuses are increasing, and misinformation campaigns are proliferating.

CAR has experienced military conflicts, power struggles, civil wars, and coups for more than 20 years, making the powerful Russian PMCs an attractive ally for President Faustin-Archange Touadéra. The official government only has effective control over the capital, while the countryside is ruled by various armed groups. After UN peacekeepers proved ineffective at extending the president’s power to the far reaches of the country, Faustin-Archange Touadéra turned to Russia for weapons and military advisors to train the country’s ragtag army.

The propaganda began with a Putin-led Russia African Summit in 2019 when he convinced leaders that by working with Russia, they could avoid foreign meddling. This was a continuation of Soviet-era propaganda which promoted Russia as a non-colonial alternative to Western partners who previously ruled African colonies. Next, a Russian misinformation campaign went into gear. The Kremlin funded a local, pro-Russian radio station and disseminated anti-Western sentiment on Facebook. The campaign is so effective that nations allied with Russian PMCs have given diplomatic and public support for Russia in the Ukraine War.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has accused Wagner troops of engaging in widespread and serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. These violations include arbitrary detention, torture, disappearances, summary executions, and intimidation and harassment of civilians.

In 2018, three Russian journalists investigating Wagner’s activities in the CAR were murdered. In June 2021, Nadia Carine Fornel Poutou, a human rights lawyer and president of the CAR’s Association of Women Lawyers and Advocates died in a mysterious fire at her home. In 2022, journalist Jean Sinclair Maka Gbossokotto, who had criticized Russian activities, died under suspicious circumstances after meeting with an individual linked to Russia. Unsolved fires and suspected arson have targeted buildings of Western interests, including a European Union building in the capital Bangui and a brewery owned by the French company Castel.

The quality of democracy is in steep decline due to Russian election interference. The PMCs have prevented the exercise of political rights by those who oppose the regime. They have curtailed civil liberties and nullified checks and balances on the executive branch. According to the Center for Africa Strategic Studies, "Authoritarian governmentslacking domestic checks and balances provide permissive environments for enabling Russian influence on the continent." The Russians are supporting President Touadéra’s referendum to end presidential term limits so he can rule the country for life. The Kremlin will benefit from having a Moscow-friendly leader in power.

Apart from misinformation, violations of human rights, and the decline of democracy, these countries also experience an increase in corruption and organized crime. The citizenry suffer economic hardships as well as shortages of grains and fertilizer, which would normally be imported from Ukraine.

Moscow benefits. Russian PMCs benefit. The President benefits. But the people lose.

Russian interference in Libya

To the north of the CAR, Russian PMCs are also significant players in Libya, which has been plagued by political instability, armed conflict, and humanitarian crises since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

As of March 2024, the country was divided into eastern and western governments. The United Nations recognizes the National Unity group (GNU), which is based in Tripoli, headed by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, The eastern government is the Government of National Stability (GNS), whose leader is Prime Minister Osama Hamad. The GNS is aligned with the House of Representatives (HoR) as well as the Libyan National Army (LNA) under the command of General Khalifa Haftar. The Russian PMCs are located in Haftar’s region and support his coalition of militias.

Russian PMCs in Libya have provided substantial material aid for the Libyan National Army in the form of military equipment, mercenary forces, and political backing. Russia is also seeking docking rights for its warships in the Libyan port of Tobruk. These discussions are reportedly contingent upon Russia providing air defence systems and pilot training for the LNA.

A Russian presence in Tobruk could drastically alter the regional balance of power in the Mediterranean. It would allow Russia to project power and influence over vital maritime trade routes, including those crucial for oil exports. And of course, an increased presence of Russian PMCs and security forces, will reduce hopes for improvements in human rights and democracy.