A Global Witness investigation revealed how illicit practices in the Central African Republic (CAR) timber industry has helped finance conflict in the country. According to the investigation, logging companies have paid millions of euros to armed groups to ensure that they can continue operating in the country, with companies continuing to offer CAR timber for sale on international markets. One of the country’s leading timber exporters, SEFCA, was accused of paying significant sums of money to armed groups in the country, including a €381,000 payment to the Seleka, an alliance of rebel militia groups accused of numerous human rights violations.
Keywords: Sub-Saharan Africa, Central African Republic, timber, primary production, illegal logging, terrorist and conflict financing, human rights violations
Source: https://www.globalwitness.org/en/archive/company-accused-financing-central-african-war-invited-eu-logging-conference/
In the Central African Republic (CAR), Russia’s involvement in the mining sector is a key strategy maintained to evade sanctions, allowing both economic and geopolitical advancement. The Wagner Group, a paramilitary organisation with close ties to the Kremlin, plays a crucial role in this process. By securing profitable mining contracts, notably in the gold and diamond industry, Wagner circumvents Western financial sanctions imposed due to Russia’s internationally condemned military actions in Ukraine. In the CAR, Wagner’s operations go beyond traditional economic interests, with security concerns also being prominent. Companies such as Finans M and Lobaye Invest, reportedly controlled by Wagner's leader, exploit mineral resources in the Central African Republic (CAR) under the guise of economic activity, reinforcing Russia’s geopolitical presence. These entities facilitate the trade of precious minerals outside the formal banking system, enabling Russia to bypass sanctions. This strategy allows Russia to leverage CAR's rich minerals to sustain its economy and finance military activities in Ukraine. It is also crucial to note that Russian mining activity in the CAR is causing environmental damage, including land degradation, deforestation, and water pollution, due to a lack of regulation. If Russia's involvement in CAR succeeds, similar unregulated mining projects could spread throughout the sub-Saharan region, increasing environmental harm.
Keywords: Sub-Saharan Africa, Central African Republic, minerals, gold, diamond, illegal mining, sanctions evasion, terrorist and conflict financing, deforestation
Source: https://ecomnewsafrique.com/en/2023/05/12/africa-russias-growing-involvement-in-the-african-mining-sector-is-an-important-instrument-of-geopolitical-influence-and-a-means-to-circumvent-western-economic-and-financial-sanctions/
https://www.tearline.mil/public_page/car-mines