A Swiss geologist and a local miner were killed on Thursday in the Central African Republic, north of the capital, Bangui, according to a statement from the local public prosecutor's office. The attack also resulted in the kidnapping of a staff sergeant in the Central African Army.
The geologist, identified as Luca Maggini, and the miner were abducted by unidentified individuals in the evening and later killed near the village of Gbango-Carriere, approximately 55 kilometers north of Bangui, said Frédéric Pounou, a geologist who was working with Maggini at the time of the kidnapping.
Maggini was employed by ADMOG Gold, an Emirati company holding contracts in the Central African Republic, according to Pounou.
The Central African Republic has experienced prolonged instability. The country has been a site of activity for the Russian mercenary group Wagner, which was among the first Russian private military companies to operate in Africa. The nation's conflict began in 2013 when predominantly Muslim rebels seized power, forcing President François Bozizé to step down. Although a peace agreement was reached in 2019 between the government and 14 armed groups, six of these groups have since withdrawn from the accord.