Intense clashes erupt in Zémio between Russian Wagner forces and FACA soldiers

Violent confrontation in the heart of Zémio

In a startling turn of events, the center of Zémio became the site of heavy combat on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. Starting around 7:50 PM, direct hostilities broke out between the Forces armées centrafricaines (FACA) and their supposed allies, the Russian mercenaries of the Wagner Group.

The security environment in the southeastern République centrafricaine has taken a sharp downward turn. The sudden exchange of fire turned local positions into active front lines in a matter of moments. Residents were gripped by terror as the sounds of both light and heavy weaponry echoed throughout the town center.

Rising tensions in Haut-Mbomou

These current hostilities are the result of a increasingly volatile cohabitation within the Haut-Mbomou region. Since the beginning of 2025, the relationship between national forces and the Russian elements has been marked by persistent friction. This evening, those tensions finally boiled over into open urban warfare, significantly complicating the regional security outlook. While a fragile calm has returned for the moment, the future of the situation remains entirely unpredictable.

Casualties reported following the exchange

Preliminary reports from the ground indicate that the violence has already claimed the life of a civilian. A local woman was killed, likely caught in the crossfire by a stray bullet during the peak of the engagement. On the military side, at least two FACA soldiers sustained serious injuries during the fighting. The situation remains fluid as we continue to monitor the aftermath of these unprecedented internal clashes.