In the remote town of Obo, located in the Haut-Mbomou region of Central Africa, a disturbing incident unfolded last week when Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group launched a surface-to-surface missile toward the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Investigations reveal that the projectile originated from an abandoned American military base, left unsecured after U.S. troops withdrew in 2017.
Eyewitnesses in Obo reported seeing the mercenaries position a heavy weapon on a local soccer field before firing. The missile streaked across the night sky, visible from multiple neighborhoods, before crossing into Congolese territory. It ultimately landed near the village of Zapay, approximately 5 kilometers from the border, without causing any immediate casualties.
a forgotten chapter: the u.s. military’s abandoned mission in central africa
The origins of the missile trace back to a now-defunct U.S. military operation known as Observant Compass, which ran from October 2011 to April 2017. Tasked with dismantling the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and its infamous leader, Joseph Kony, the mission deployed Green Berets and other special forces across Uganda, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic (CAR). Obo served as a key operational hub, equipped with surveillance cameras and reinforced perimeters.
Despite years of pursuit, Kony evaded capture, and the U.S. withdrew its forces in 2017, leaving behind a cache of equipment—including, according to local accounts, the missile now repurposed by Wagner. The abandoned base was later occupied by Central African Armed Forces (FACA), but their presence was short-lived. Months ago, Wagner mercenaries arrived in Obo, evicting FACA troops and seizing control of the site.
Wagner’s reckless test fire sparks regional alarm
Local officials had previously hinted that Wagner planned to test weapons retrieved from the base, discarding faulty ordnance and retaining functional arms. The February 26 incident confirmed these fears. By firing the missile toward the DRC rather than inland, the mercenaries demonstrated both their capabilities and disregard for cross-border consequences.
The choice of trajectory—deliberately avoiding populated areas like Bambouti—suggested a calculated effort to avoid collateral damage in CAR. However, the impact near Zapay rattled residents, many of whom are Congolese refugees who fled violence linked to Wagner’s operations in CAR. The message was clear: no region is beyond reach.
Security analysts note that no other armed group in Obo possesses the means to operate such advanced weaponry. The mercenaries’ ability to transport, assemble, and launch the missile underscores the dangers posed by uncontrolled military materiel in the hands of unaccountable forces.
unanswered questions and looming threats
As night fell in Zapay, families remained on edge, fearing further strikes. The incident has raised urgent questions about the security of abandoned military sites across Central Africa and the accountability of foreign mercenary groups operating in the region. With Wagner’s influence expanding, the risks of escalation and unintended consequences grow ever more acute.
