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1 1 (April 26, 2023)

handle is hein.crs/govelkh0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congr ssianaI Research Servict informn oth oeisative debat sico 1914 April 26, 2023 Russia's Wagner Group in Africa: Issues for Congress Lverview The Wagner Group, nominally a private military company (PMC) with ties to the Russian state, has expanded its presence in Africa over the past six years. Wagner provides security services in several African countries, and affiliates are reportedly involved in mining and commercial activities. Wagner has been implicated in human rights abuses in Africa, including killings and torture. In January, the United States designated Wagner as a Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO), citing, in part, its activities in Africa. See also: CRS In Focus IF12344, Russia's Wagner Private Military Company (PMC). The Wagner Group's role in Africa appears to support a broader effort by Moscow to challenge and disrupt Western influence at relatively low cost. Politically connected Russian elites may also benefit from Wagner's economic activities. In addition to leveraging Moscow's Cold War-era ties, Wagner has exploited the vulnerabilities and ambitions of particular African leaders. It also has leveraged (and sought to stoke) local grievances and resentment of Western countries, particularly former colonial power France. U.S. officials have criticized the Wagner Group's predatory activities in Africa, asserting that they are destabilizing, exploitative, and an extension of Russian official policy. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland testified to Congress in January 2023 that Wagner's access to gold mines in Mali and the Central African Republic (CAR) directly funds operations in Ukraine. Key Areas of Activity U.S. State Department and Defense Department officials have stated that Wagner is active in CAR, Libya, Mali, and Sudan. Wagner also has engaged in outreach to Burkina Faso, and reportedly has sought to destabilize pro-Western leaders in countries such as Chad. In 2019, Wagner personnel deployed to Mozambique to aid counterinsurgency operations against a local Islamic State affiliate, but withdrew after heavy casualties. Some reports suggest Wagner may be active in other African countries in less visible ways. Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin reportedly oversees a wider network of entities involved in disinformation and electoral processes in Africa. The countries where Wagner openly operates share some attributes, notably domestic insurgencies and fraught relations with traditional donors. Mali and Sudan are under military rule, as are Burkina Faso and Chad. CAR and Mali are former French colonies, as are Chad and Burkina Faso. Malian and Burkinabe officials have cited frustrations over France's counterterrorism operations, and diplomatic tensions led French troops to exit both countries in 2022- 2023. In CAR, France ended a military stabilization mission prior to Wagner's entry. In Libya, Wagner is aiding an armed group that has sought state power. Figure 1. Key African Countries with Wagner Activity Source: Public statements by U.S. officials, 2022. U.S. officials have asserted in statements and testimony that the Wagner Group's abuses and economic exploitation undermine stability in countries where it operates. Wagner's difficulties in Mozambique may also have hurt its reputation. Several African leaders, including the presidents of Ghana and Niger, have publicly expressed concern about Wagner's activities in neighboring countries. At the same time, some leaders may view the Wagner Group as furnishing valuable assistance that other partners are unwilling or unable to provide. Wagner's support to the fragile government of CAR helped defend the capital against rebel assault in early 2021; in both CAR and Mali, Wagner's logistical support appears to have enabled national militaries to expand operations against insurgents-albeit accompanied by significant abuses. Leaders chafing at arms embargoes (as in CAR) or human rights criticism (as in Mali) may view the Wagner Group as a counter-balance to Western donor influence. Some leaders appear to perceive Wagner as sharing a preferred scorched- earth approach to counterinsurgency. Wagner's partnership with the Malian junta against French postcolonial influence may also appeal to other leaders or contenders. CAR. The Wagner Group reportedly first entered CAR after Russia obtained an exemption to the U.N. arms embargo in 2017 to provide weapons to CAR's military. Russia then sent instructors (including Wagner personnel) to train local soldiers. Press and think-tank reports estimate that 1,000 to 2,000 Wagner personnel operate in CAR, where they have played a prominent role in military operations against rebel groups since 2021. Wagner personnel also provide personal protection to President Faustin-Archange Touadera and serve as his advisors. Wagner affiliates are reportedly active in private security, mining, and other commercial sectors. Mali. Mali's military junta reportedly contracted the Wagner Group in late 2021 to support combat operations against Islamist insurgents. This followed an increase in official Russian arms sales to Mali. About 1,000-1,500 Wagner personnel may operate in Mali, per press reports. 0

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