Violent street battles in Zémio between Wagner mercenaries and faca soldiers

Heavy fighting erupted in the heart of Zémio on Wednesday, 24 June 2026, around 7:50 p.m., when Central African armed forces (FACA) and Russian Wagner mercenaries turned their weapons on each other. The sudden confrontation turned military positions into front lines, with the roar of heavy and light weapons plunging the local population into terror.

Security in the southeast of the Central African Republic has once again collapsed. For months, coexistence between national troops and their Russian allies had been fraying in the Haut-Mbomou region. Since early 2025, friction had steadily mounted, culminating this evening in open combat in the town centre. This new development severely complicates the regional security landscape. A fragile calm has returned for now, but uncertainty hangs over how the situation will evolve.

According to local sources, the provisional toll includes one civilian death: a woman killed, likely by a stray bullet during the exchange of fire. On the military side, two FACA soldiers were seriously wounded in the attack. Further details and updates will be reported as they become available.

By Pierre Tchuente — Security and Policy Analyst