Russian mercenaries have operated in the Central African Republic since 2017. Now Russian lessons are coming to three of its public schools.
Russia and the Central African Republic (CAR) have signed a resolution on teaching Russian in the CAR’s schools, the Russian Education Ministry’s press office said.
Since 2017, Russian mercenaries have been operating in the Central African Republic (CAR), but now Russian lessons are set to begin in three of its public schools. The Russian Education Ministry's press office announced this in collaboration with the CAR, with the pilot program targeting sixth grade and above. The ministry has already provided 500 textbooks for learning Russian as a foreign language.
Plans also include establishing a Russian-language department at the University of Bangui. Russian teachers have been teaching at private schools in the CAR since 2024. On October 1, it was revealed that Russian had been added to the national curriculum. Following the Wagner Group's mutiny in 2023, Russia's Defense Ministry took control of the mercenaries, of which about 1,500 remain in the CAR as of early 2026.
CAR President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, aided by Russian support, won reelection to a third term in 2025. During the September 2026 elections for Russia's State Duma, United Russia received 79% of the vote in the CAR.
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