Heavy gunfire in Zémio city center
The security situation in the southeastern République centrafricaine took a dramatic turn this Wednesday evening. Around 7:50 PM, the heart of Zémio was shaken by intense combat as soldiers from the Forces armées centrafricaines (FACA) and their allies from the Russian Wagner group engaged in a direct firefight.
What were once allied positions suddenly became opposing front lines in the middle of the urban area. The sounds of heavy weaponry and light arms fire spread terror among the local residents, who were caught off guard by the sudden escalation between the two forces.
Rising tensions in Haut-Mbomou
This outbreak of violence is the culmination of a deteriorating relationship in the Haut-Mbomou region. Since the beginning of 2025, the cohabitation between the national army and the Russian paramilitary group has been marked by increasing friction. This evening, those underlying tensions exploded into open warfare in the streets of Zémio, complicating the regional security landscape further.
While a fragile calm has since returned to the area, the atmosphere remains thick with uncertainty regarding what might happen next.
Casualties reported among civilians and military
Preliminary reports from the ground indicate a tragic toll from the exchange. A civilian woman was killed, likely struck by a stray bullet during the height of the shooting. On the military side, two FACA soldiers sustained severe injuries during the confrontation. The full extent of the damage and the total number of casualties continue to be assessed as the situation evolves.
