As various African countries broaden their views on what international relations should include, certain regions have developed anti-colonial feelings, translating to anti-West sentiments. They have instead chosen to collaborate with Eastern countries such as Russia and China. With this transformation comes an inflow of Russian military involvement, including mercenaries or, more specifically, the Wagner group.
- Certain African countries shifting towards collaboration with Eastern countries like Russia and China.
- Increase in Russian military involvement in Africa, including mercenaries like the Wagner group.
- Wagner’s presence and activities in various African countries including Central African Republic, Sudan, Mozambique, Mali, and Libya.
The increase in Russian military ties in Africa saw a surge after countries on the continent, particulalrly those in the Sahel region began rejecting Western influences.
While this is seen as a progressive step for some of these countries, there are studies that indicate that Wagner’s operations in Africa are allegedely tied to its commerical interest.
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“Since its first documented military engagement in Africa, in late 2017, Wagner has expanded aggressively. It has deployed troops to five African countries (to date), while groups linked to Prigozhin have been present in some capacity (either military, economic or political) in over a dozen African countries,” the Grey Zone Report states.
The report likens Wagner’s operations in Africa to that of an organized criminal organization.
“The Wagner Group – as it is today – can be compared to the characteristics of Russian organized crime and its activities overseas,” the report says.
Research conducted since July 2022 on the Central African Republic (CAR), Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya, Cameroon, Mali, Madagascar, and Libya is cited in this study along with additional sources from around the continent.
According to the report, Wagner works in Africa through a network of military, economic, and political enterprises.
Wagner forces have been seen in Mali, Sudan, CAR, Libya, and Mozambique, indicating mercenary activity.
Wagner entities have established a strong presence in the Central Africa Republic and Sudan, gaining political power, business interests, and mercenary status.
“CAR is the most developed example of the Wagner business model in Africa, to the point where its interventions could be described as state capture,” the report states.
“In exchange for access to natural resources – principally diamonds and gold – Wagner has provided President Faustin Archange-Touadéra with military and political support, which has proven pivotal in sustaining his embattled presidency against an onslaught of rebel groups,” it adds.
Likewise in Sudan, Wagner is said to have grown its influence substantially.
“The group has maintained a military presence in Sudan since late 2017. Unlike the diversified economic interests seen in CAR, in Sudan Wagner-linked companies have been concentrated in the gold sector,” the report claims.
![Specturm of Wagner's intervention in African countries [Source: The Grey Zone Report]](https://ocdn.eu/pulscms/MDA_/54d7d04f82ef3c209edb7a7e65b1a32c.png)
Furthermore, some of the group’s mercenary activities can be seen in Mozambique, Mali and Libya, unlike their engagement in CAR or Sudan, which seems according to the report seems to be more commerically motivated.
“While Wagner has engaged militarily in five African countries, its political operations cover a far larger segment of the continent. The techniques used by Wagner-linked political groups include online disinformation and influence campaigns conducted on social media, sometimes used to amplify Wagner-supported media outlets,” as seen in the report.
The report goes on to syaye that Wagner’s impact goes beyond the nations in which they have created military, economic, and political bases.
In 2022, there were hints that many additional African governments, like Burkina Faso, wanted to strengthen ties with Russia, and Wagner made overtures to these countries.
Other nations appear to play a part in the Wagner ecosystem as logistical and transportation centers, supporting activities in other countries.
Douala, Cameroon, has been recognized as such a center, while Nairobi looks to serve a similar purpose.
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Wagner Group in Africa
The Wagner Group has quickly emerged as Russia’s most significant African engagement strategy.
The group is primarily a private military organization that supplies mercenary forces, but it also includes a network of commercial businesses including mining corporations and political influence activities.
Under the leadership of Yevgeny Prigozhin, a longtime close associate of Vladimir Putin, Wagner appears to have a mutually advantageous relationship with the Russian government.
