The revolt of the Wagner mercenaries and their announced incorporation into the Russian army also had an impact in Africa: the mercenary force was or is active in Syria, Libya, Mali, Sudan and the Central African Republic.
Wagner’s mercenaries secure Russian influence in Africa
Russia wants to maintain its military presence in Mali and the Central African Republic. At the request of local governments “Several hundred servicemen work in CAR, let’s say as instructors, and this work will certainly continue,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said. on Russian state television.
Wagner enriches with mineral resources in Africa
In both countries, as Lavrov also acknowledged, Wagner Group mercenaries are mainly active. He described speculation about the end of Russian military presence in Africa as Western propaganda.
The interruption of Wagner’s operations in Africa could also have a significant impact on financial flows. For example, Wagner Group mercenaries provide the most important bodyguards for the Central African president, control access to him and, together with the company Prigozhin M Invest, a large part of the country’s gold and diamond mines.
The military company also plays a role in Venezuela, Equatorial Guinea, Zimbabwe and Congo – sometimes fighting, sometimes as security personnel for mines or Russian companies.
What will happen to Prigozhin’s African networks?
The Wagner group was ideal for the Kremlin to operate under the radar in unstable countries rich in natural resources: the Russian side offered illegal arms aid because it was under sanctions, fighters and specialists for propaganda campaigns. In exchange, the respective African country granted Russian companies – mainly from the Wagner network – licenses for mining and often illegal export of gold, diamonds, wood and other raw materials.
The governments of Mali or the Central African Republic now have a problem – they trusted Wagner’s mercenaries and used them to drive out international peacekeeping troops. The Russian military, along with the Malian armed forces, are also accused of war crimes against the population. The Malian government and Russia have consistently denied these allegations.
Putin Advantage: For a long time, Moscow managed to hide behind the claim that Russia had nothing to do with companies or mercenaries, because Russia would have trouble sending Russian soldiers officially.
It is not clear, for example, whether there will be a kind of “Wagner’s Foreign Troops” after the proposed incorporation of Wagner’s mercenaries into the Russian army. Because many regimes deliberately rely on mercenaries who may operate in a legal gray area.