More control, less deniability: what next for Russia in Africa after Wagner?

Russian influence is directed through an umbrella entity run by the Russian ministry of defence called Africa Corps, which has incorporated Wagner group.Russian influence is directed through an umbrella entity run by the Russian ministry of defence called Africa Corps, which has incorporated Wagner group.

Moscow is keen to extend its sphere of influence on a global scale, find further export markets and access natural resources. Africa presents the perfect opportunity to execute those ideas, some observers say. After Prigozhin’s death, Wagner’s structure and operations were absorbed into Africa Corps, along with his son Pavel. Recruitments took place in December. Wagner fighters were given a choice: disband or join the new crew.about the group’s continued existence, top Russian officials visited a few African leaders to reassure them of continuity and support.For a long time the Russian state denied any links to Wagner, but that changed with the coup attempt and subsequent death of Prigozhin.

“There is no difference … because Prigozhin had never been owner of that operation,” he said of Wagner. “It was always an operation of Russian secret services and Prigozhin was nothing but the manager in this chain of command.” Ladd Serwat, Africa regional specialist at Acled, said that, in Mali alone, violent events involving insurgent groups had almost tripled since 2021, when Wagner began operations in the country.

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