Violent confrontations erupted in Zémio this Wednesday, June 24, 2026, marking a significant escalation between Russian Wagner group mercenaries and Central African Armed Forces (FACA) soldiers.

A sudden outbreak of intense fighting shocked residents in the heart of Zémio on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, commencing around 7:50 PM. This unexpected confrontation pitted elements of the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) directly against their supposed allies, the Russian mercenaries of the Wagner Group.

The security landscape in the southeastern region of the Central African Republic has once again taken a dramatic turn. On the evening of June 24, 2026, approximately 19h50, the fragile alliance fractured within Zémio’s downtown area. FACA military personnel and Wagner Group operatives engaged in a direct exchange of fire, transforming their shared positions into immediate front lines. The terrifying sounds of both heavy and light weaponry reverberated through the locality, plunging the civilian population into profound fear.

These recent hostilities are a direct consequence of a progressively strained cohabitation in the Haut-Mbomou zone. Since early 2025, the relationship between the national forces and their Russian counterparts has steadily deteriorated, culminating in tonight’s open urban warfare. This new development severely complicates the regional security outlook. While a tense calm has momentarily settled over the area, the future trajectory of the situation remains entirely uncertain.

Initial reports indicate a tragic provisional casualty count: one civilian, a woman, lost her life, likely struck by a stray bullet during the intense firefight. Additionally, two FACA soldiers sustained serious injuries in the attack. Further details and updates on this evolving situation will be provided as they become available.