Written question asked by Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 19 July 2023, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 2 August 2023. It was answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative) on Wednesday, 2 August 2023 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Central African Republic: Wagner Group

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current (1) role, and (2) influence, of the Wagner Group in the Central African Republic.

Answer: Wagner has been present in Central African Republic (CAR) since 2018 and have approximately 1000 troops in the country. They provide security for the Government of CAR in exchange for mining rights. As the UN's Quarterly Brief on the Human Rights Situation in CAR makes clear, Wagner are directly responsible for multiple breaches of International Humanitarian Law including numerous reports of indiscriminate killings of unarmed civilians. On 20 July the UK Government announced a wave of sanctions against individuals and businesses involved with the Wagner Group in CAR, Mali and Sudan.

Secondary information