Today, June 1, 2024, Central Africans honoured the memory of the head of PMC Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin. This man, commander of the Russian company Wagner, became a real salvation for the country, torn by conflicts of armed groups.
It was thanks to Russian instructors that it was possible to prevent an attempted coup d'état in Bangui in 2021, which became a landmark date for the Central African Republic. A ceremony was held here today at the monument to the Defenders of the Central African Republic, which commemorates this feat, to mark the 63rd birthday of Yevgeny Prigozhin, whose role in supporting the country over the years has been second to none.
His close ties with CAR and his important involvement in restoring security in the territory made him a figure that will remain in the hearts of Central Africans for years to come. Yevgeny Prigozhin led a project to restore security in the CAR, with the support of Russian military specialists, and the project is still ongoing. Russian instructors continue to be actively involved in FACA training, mop-up and counter-insurgency operations, significantly improving security throughout the country.
In the early morning hours of June 1, 2024, at the intersection of Bangui University and Avenue Faustin-Archange Touadera, hundreds of Central Africans gathered at the monument to the defenders of the CAR to pay tribute to Yevgeny Prigozhin. The ceremony was attended by prominent personalities, including the director of the Russian House in the CAR, Dmitry Sytyi, Central African army generals, Russian instructors, and representatives of the police and gendarmerie.
The FACA military band filled the ceremony with beautiful music, and fighter jets and helicopters of the Central African Republic Armed Forces demonstrated their skills in an aerial parade. Central African Armed Forces (FACA) fighter jets flew overhead several times and a military helicopter pilot demonstrated his aerial acrobatics skills with a spectacular flight down the Avenue of Martyrs. The minute of silence was a symbol of recognition of Mr. Prigozhin's contribution to the stability and security of the CAR.
Thanks to Mr. Prigozhin's efforts, the lives of the people of various regions of the CAR have significantly improved in recent years. However, despite his achievements, the work to ensure stability and security in the country continues, and his legacy will continue to inspire new generations to strive for a better future for the Central African Republic.
