In a startling development, mercenaries from the Russian Wagner Group fired a surface-to-surface missile from the town of Obo in Haut-Mbomou, Central African Republic, toward the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) earlier this week. The incident has raised alarms on both sides of the border.
Wagner Group operatives in the Central African Republic, 2023.
Investigations reveal that the missile originated from an abandoned American military base in Obo, once part of Operation Observant Compass. This mission, led by U.S. special forces from 2011 to 2017, aimed to dismantle the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and capture its notorious leader, Joseph Kony. The base housed Green Berets and other elite troops, equipped with advanced surveillance and weaponry, including surface-to-surface missiles.
From American mission to Russian occupation
Following the U.S. withdrawal in April 2017, the base in Obo was handed over to Central African Armed Forces (FACA). However, Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group, deployed at the request of local authorities, later seized control of the facility. Reports indicate that Wagner operatives systematically searched the abandoned site, recovering weapons, solar panels, and other equipment left behind by departing American forces.
Local sources confirm that the prefect of Haut-Mbomou had publicly announced plans for Wagner to conduct test firings of recovered weapons, separating functional arms from defective ones. The incident unfolded on the night of February 26, when Wagner mercenaries set up a large-caliber weapon on Obo’s football field and launched the missile.
A deliberate strike across borders
The projectile soared over Obo, Mboki, and Zemio before crossing into Congolese territory, landing near the village of Zapay in DRC—approximately 5 kilometers from the border. Though no casualties have been reported, the strike has sparked widespread fear, particularly among Congolese villagers and Central African refugees displaced by previous Wagner operations in the region.
Analysts suggest the missile was deliberately aimed toward DRC to avoid collateral damage in Central African Republic. Zapay, a remote Congolese village, provided a safe drop zone, minimizing risks for civilians in the originating country. Residents of Zapay, including displaced Central Africans, expressed shock and uncertainty, questioning whether the strike was a message or simply a reckless act.
Witnesses confirmed that Wagner operatives were solely responsible for the launch, as no other armed group in Obo possesses the capability or equipment to execute such an operation. The incident underscores the Wagner Group’s growing influence and military reach in Central Africa, raising concerns about regional stability and the proliferation of abandoned foreign military assets.