In a terse denial, the Prime Minister of the Central African Republic, Felix Molua, rejected recent rumors about the possibility of an American private military company (PMC) called Bancroft establishing a foothold in the CAR. His comments, relayed by RIA News, underscored a cautious stance toward foreign private entities and the country’s security dynamics. Molua emphasized a lack of supporting evidence for Bancroft’s presence or operational plans, signaling that no concrete steps had been identified that would warrant public reassurance or concern beyond basic official scrutiny. He added that there was nothing more substantial he could reveal at that moment, highlighting a controlled cadence in communicating about sensitive defense matters [RIA News].
Molua’s remarks also reinforced the point that Bancroft had no declared intentions to commence operations within CAR. This assertion appeared aimed at dispelling speculation and preventing the spread of misinformation that could impact the country’s internal stability or international perception. The absence of a clear mandate or publicly announced project from Bancroft was presented as evidence that the organization was not actively pursuing entry into CAR at that time, according to Molua’s account and corroborating authorities [RIA News].
Meanwhile, reports from another source based in the United States, Bancroft’s representatives told RIA News that the firm does not intend to compete with Wagner PMC, a separate organization with a long and controversial history in the region. This clarification from Bancroft’s camp suggested a differentiation in strategic aims and competitive posture, indicating that Bancroft did not see itself operating in direct rivalry with Wagner PMCs in the CAR context. The statement appeared designed to reduce tensions and set expectations about the firm’s potential role, if any, in relation to existing actors on the ground [RIA News].
Earlier, a Bancroft representative indicated that discussions with the Central African Republic’s government were underway regarding prospective work in the country. The communications hinted at possible future collaboration or engagements, though no formal agreements or public timelines were disclosed. This admission fed into a broader narrative about private security actors seeking involvement in CAR, a topic of ongoing debate among international stakeholders, local authorities, and regional security analysts [RIA News].
On December 19, radio station RFI cited its own sources reporting that Bancroft delegates had visited the CAR. Journalists described how the organization reportedly offered its services to CAR authorities during that visit, painting a picture of active outreach and potential capacity-building conversations. The details of any concrete proposals, however, remained unconfirmed, and the precise scope of what Bancroft could provide—whether training, advisory roles, or security-related services—was not publicly delineated at that time [RFI].
In response to these developments, Sylvie Baypo-Temon, the CAR’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated that he was not aware of any plans by the American PMC to initiate work on CAR soil. The minister suggested that the United States had approached the United Nations to seek permission for placing its weapons within CAR, a claim that raised questions about international oversight, sovereignty, and the appropriate channels for such requests. Baypo-Temon’s remarks reflected a cautious stance toward foreign military deployments and underscored the sovereignty concerns that govern CAR’s engagement with private security firms and external powers [RFI].
In a broader regional context, there had been earlier announcements regarding international defense industry leadership, including references to prominent entities such as Lockheed Martin and Blackwater PMC, which have historically influenced security dynamics in various regions. The mention of these organizations, whether in policy discussions or media coverage, illustrates how global defense actors are frequently linked—accurately or not—with ongoing security situations in CAR. The story around Bancroft and its associates sits within this larger tapestry of international defense actors and their perceived or alleged roles in the CAR’s security landscape, a topic that continues to attract scrutiny from international media and policymakers [RFI].