About | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline
LOG IN
LOG IN

1 1 (August 3, 2023)

handle is hein.crs/govemla0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congr ssbonaI Research Service informing theLgiativ debat sinc1914 Updated August 3, 2023 Russia's Wagner Group in Africa: Issues for Congress The Wagner Group, a nominally private military company (PMC) that the U.S. government has referred to as a proxy military force of the Kremlin, provides security services in several African countries. Wagner affiliates are also involved in mining and commerce, and in propaganda and influence operations. Wagner's activities in Africa appear to support a broader effort by Moscow to challenge Western influence at relatively low cost. Politically connected Russian elites may also seek personal profits. 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 influence, particularly that of former colonial power France. U.S. officials have accused Wagner of predatory behavior in Africa and of trading security services for access to natural resources. In early 2023, the Biden Administration designated Wagner a Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO), citing, in part, abuses in Africa. U.S. officials have accused Wagner of using gold from Africa to finance operations in Ukraine, and of seeking to move weapons via Mali for use in Ukraine. See also: CRS In Focus IF12344, Russia 's Wagner Private Military Company (PMC). Wagner's future in Africa is uncertain in the wake of its June 2023 mutiny in Russia. Given Wagner's existing connections and footprint, and a lack of ready alternatives, Moscow likely finds it difficult to fully divest or replace Wagner in the region. Russian officials have asserted that support to Wagner's African partners will continue, but who will control these activities and financial flows is unclear. For his part, Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin has vowed to continue operations in Africa. In light of Wagner's role in Russia's regional strategy, the evolving situation is of interest to U.S. policymakers. Key Areas of Activity Wagner is primarily active in the Central African Republic (CAR), Libya, Mali, and Sudan, per U.S. officials. Wagner has also engaged in outreach to Burkina Faso, and has reportedly sought to destabilize the government of Chad. Prigozhin cheered the military seizure of power in Niger in July 2023 via social media, and floated Wagner's services. Wagner previously deployed to Mozambique in 2019 to aid counter-insurgency operations but withdrew after taking heavy casualties. Some reports suggest that Wagner may be active in other African countries in less visible ways. The countries where Wagner openly operates share some attributes, notably insurgencies and fraught relations with traditional donors. Mali and Sudan are under military rule, while CAR and Mali are former French colonies that once hosted French military operations. Burkina Faso and Chad, fit both latter categories, as may Niger. In Libya, Wagner is aiding an armed group that has sought state power. Figure I. Key African Countries with Wagner Activity Source: Public statements by U.S. officials in 2022. U.S. officials have asserted in statements and testimony that Wagner abuses and economic exploitation undermine stability in Africa. Wagner personnel have been implicated in atrocities against civilians in CAR, Mali, and Sudan. Firms tied to Wagner have reportedly exploited gold mines in these countries, along with diamonds and timber in CAR. Several African leaders, including the President of Ghana, have voiced concern about Wagner's regional activities. At the same time, some leaders in Africa appear to view Wagner as furnishing valuable assistance that other partners are unwilling or unable to provide. In CAR and Mali, Wagner's logistics support appears to have enabled national militaries to expand operations against insurgents-albeit accompanied by significant abuses. Some leaders appear to share with Wagner a preferred scorched-earth approach to counterinsurgency. Leaders chafing at arms embargoes (as in CAR) or human rights criticism (as in Mali) may view Wagner-and Russia more generally-as a counterweight to Western donor influence. Wagner's partnership with the Malian junta against French postcolonial influence may also appeal to other leaders or contenders. The group's activities appear to vary based on local context. CAR. The Wagner Group reportedly entered CAR after Russia obtained an exemption to the U.N. arms embargo in 2017 to provide weapons to CAR's military, and offered to train local soldiers in their use. Wagner's numbers swelled as high as 2,000 as the group came to play a key role in military operations against rebel groups. Wagner personnel provide personal protection to President Faustin-Archange Touadera and serve as his advisors. Wagner has also reportedly worked with some rebel factions. Wagner affiliates are allegedly active in private security, mining, and other commercial sectors. Several hundred Wagner personnel left CAR shortly after the June 2023 mutiny, which CAR officials characterized as a rotation rather than a drawdown. More Wagner personnel appeared to arrive ahead of a controversial constitutional referendum in July. Libya. Wagner personnel reportedly began providing support in 2018 to Libyan National Army (LNA) leader

What Is HeinOnline?

HeinOnline is a subscription-based resource containing thousands of academic and legal journals from inception; complete coverage of government documents such as U.S. Statutes at Large, U.S. Code, Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, U.S. Reports, and much more. Documents are image-based, fully searchable PDFs with the authority of print combined with the accessibility of a user-friendly and powerful database. For more information, request a quote or trial for your organization below.



Short-term subscription options include 24 hours, 48 hours, or 1 week to HeinOnline.

Purchase Access

Contact us for annual subscription options:

Contact Us

Already a HeinOnline Subscriber?

Log In

profiles profiles most