Africa: Wagner group activities encompass political, economic and military aspects

Brief answers to some basic questions about the Wagner group:

• Where are they in Africa?  Wagner has established a significant presence in various African nations, notably the Central African Republic, Libya, Mali and Sudan. These four countries represent the areas of most active engagement. There were previously operations in Mozambique, but recent reports suggest meanwhile a reduced or non-existent presence.
• Who sent them and why? Wagner comprises private military groups, often referred to as mercenaries. Their interests often align with those of the Kremlin, particularly in relation to African affairs. Hence, while they're dispatched by their organization, it's likely that such decisions are made with Putin's approval.
• Who are they supporting? Wagner's efforts are generally aligned to the ruling government’s interests. These administrations tend to have a somewhat strained relationship with Western powers.

World Watch Research analyst Yonas Dembele comments: “The presence of Wagner has been detrimental to Christians in the countries named above. There have been multiple accusations of atrocities committed by Wagner groups, leading to sanctions against some of their commanders. Christians have been largely silenced, unable to voice their opposition. Researchers in countries like Mali were even directly instructed to stop probing the situation of Christians in the wake of Wagner's presence. The impact of the June mutiny in Russia largely hinges on President Putin's response to the situation (BBC News 27 June 2023). Should there be a decision to dismantle the entire mercenary group, it would cause the African division to lose its organizational command structure and support. This could lead to two significant outcomes: a) Should Wagner withdraw from countries like Mali amid the nation's current dispute with the UN, USA and France, it could drastically weaken Mali's capacity to counter jihadist threats. This would be harmful in the short-term; b) on the other hand, a withdrawal from Wagner might encourage these countries to fortify their democratic institutions over time, rather than rely on outside military assistance.”