| Berengo | |
|---|---|
 Central African forces training in Berengo base | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Military base |
| Location | Lobaye, Central African Republic |
| Coordinates | 4°02′38″N18°07′21″E / 4.04402°N 18.12262°E |
| Completed | 1977 |
Berengo is a former palace of emperor Bokassa in the Central African Republic province of Lobaye, currently serving as a base where Russian forces from Wagner Group train Central African soldiers.
On 4 December 1977 Berengo palace became official residence of emperor Jean-Bédel Bokassa. [1] There he built an airport, separate residences for himself and his wife, Empress Catherine, individual apartments for his advisors, and lodgings for the ministers. [2] On 20 September 1979 French forces seized Berengo during Operation Barracuda. Following his death Bokassa was buried in Berengo. [3]
On 2 April 2013 around 2,000 Séléka militiamen entered Berengo. They created training center there. In December 2013 all officers and instructors were forced to flee due to Anti-balaka offensive. A few hundred Christian Séléka fighters were left besieged there, with wooden weapons and forced to hunt for food. [4] They were eventually brought to Bangui by Anti-balaka general Alfred Yekatom. [5]
On 24 March 2018 presence of Russian instructors were reported in Berengo, according to satellite photos, they first appeared on 22 January 2018. [6] They started training FACA soldiers in the base. [7] First training was completed on 31 March with 200 soldiers and Presidential Guards. [8] This was done despite the Bokassa's family claiming ownership of the palace. [9]