Shooting at Wagner Gold Mine Leaves at Least 11 Dead in Central African Republic

• Tragic shooting at Wagner-controlled gold mine kills at least 11.
• Young men collecting gold were shot in a restricted area.
• Witnesses report more individuals may be missing after the shooting.
• Serge Pounematchi condemns the climate of fear and impunity.
• Wagner’s history of human rights abuses continues to raise alarm.

Shooting at Wagner Gold Mine Claims Lives of Civilians

A tragic shooting incident at a gold mine in the Central African Republic has resulted in the deaths of at least 11 individuals. According to local sources, the incident occurred overnight on July 16 near the village of Ndassima, which is located approximately 450 kilometers east of the capital, Bangui. Reports indicate that the victims, all reportedly young men from nearby villages, were shot while attempting to collect residual gold from the Wagner-controlled mine site.

Eyewitness Accounts Highlight Fear and Impunity

The victims were reportedly forced into a restricted area of the mine in search of valuable gravel before being shot dead on the spot. Witnesses and humanitarian workers have corroborated that the death toll stands at a minimum of 11, but there are fears that more individuals may be missing as others attempted to sneak into the mine at night. Residents, who chose to remain anonymous for their safety, voiced their concerns regarding this ongoing situation.

Public Reaction and Official Silence

Serge Serge Pounematchi, a grieving father of one of the victims, has publicly condemned the incident, expressing his outrage over the lack of respect for human life in the region. He stated, “It is a shame that the right to life does not exist”—an indication of the pervasive climate of fear under the Wagner Group’s control. To date, there has been no official acknowledgment or comments from the Central African Republic authorities, nor have representatives from Wagner or the mine offered any statements regarding this grave matter.

Wagner’s Troubling Record in the Region

Wagner, the Russian private military company, has maintained operations in the Central African Republic since 2017, often using the name Midas Resources as a front. They control Ndassima and have faced serious allegations of human rights violations, including kidnappings and extrajudicial killings. Such violence is not new; for instance, reports from 2022 indicated that over 65 individuals were killed at the Aigbado mine, according to sources like UNDP and RFE/RL. The political influence of Wagner in the region is significant, having backed President Touadéra during the 2023 constitutional referendum aimed at extending his term.

Wagner’s Expanding Role and Consequences

In related news, another Wagner mercenary, Igor Nesterov, has recently been reported killed in Mali, where he had previously served as a trainer to Russian boxer Oleksandr Povetkin. Since Russia’s expansive military engagement in Ukraine, Nesterov was noted to have actively participated on the ground, appearing in images alongside fellow Russian combatants. This further raises questions about Wagner’s operations and their implications both locally and internationally.

In summary, the grim shooting incident at the Wagner gold mine in the Central African Republic highlights ongoing human rights issues and the lack of accountability. With no formal comments from authorities or the Wagner Group, there remains a prevailing anxiety in the region about safety and the right to life. The situation exemplifies a larger pattern of violence and impunity in areas where the group operates, suggesting a need for urgent attention and intervention.