UN accuses Russian paramilitary group Wagner of "harassment" of civilians in Central African Republic
A member of the close protection unit of the President of the Central African Republic, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, made up of agents from the Russian private security company Sewa Security, is seen in Berengo on August 4, 2018. FLORENT VERGNES / AFP
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
In a press release published on Wednesday, the United Nations group of experts on mercenaries once again warns of the situation in the Central African Republic.
While the presence of Russian paramilitaries in the country is the subject of significant diplomatic tensions, the group of experts is "
extremely concerned
".
He points out that Wagner “
harasses and intimidates
” civilians.
He calls on the authorities to end all relations with private security personnel.
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Civilians, peacekeepers, journalists, aid workers, members of minorities ...
The group of experts lists
the people "
violently harassed and intimidated
" by "
said Russian instructors
". The group claims to have received information of cases of rape and sexual violence. "
Victims often have no access to justice,
" he said.
Experts also specify that they have received information according to which members of the Wagner group have committed rape and sexual violence in "
many regions of the country
". They say they are unable to estimate the number of victims because, they say, "
survivors are terrified of going to court for fear of reprisals
."
The group of experts calls on the government "
to end all relations with military and private security personnel, in particular the Wagner group
".
"
We urge the authorities to comply with their obligations under international law
" which include holding all perpetrators of serious violations to account and ensuring unhindered access to justice.
Following the various reports and testimonies published, President Touadéra set up a special commission of inquiry.
The summary of this report presented by the Minister of Justice recognizes that "
of the proven incidents, some are attributable to Russian instructors
".
The prosecutor general was seized to deepen the investigations.
This group of UN experts alerted on March 31 to a long series of serious human rights violations.
French Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has repeatedly denounced Wagner's presence in the Central African Republic.
Following the latest statements from the French minister, a pass between the two capitals through the press.
In an interview on our antenna
, President Touadéra assured that he had addressed the Russian authorities: “
I had to use all possible means to guarantee the security of Central African citizens.
"
► Read also:
Central African Republic - accusations of abuses: who are these Russian paramilitaries?
► Read also:
Central African Republic: Macron judges President Touadéra "hostage of the Wagner group"
► Read also:
Mali: the group of Russian mercenaries, Wagner, would start recruiting, according to
Le Figaro
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