The Wagner Group’s presence in Africa extends beyond its well-known operations in Central African Republic, Libya, Mali, Sudan, and Mozambique.
Expanded List of Wagner Group Activities in Africa
- Central African Republic (CAR)
Main Focus: Security, political support, and resource control.
Activities: Wagner supports CAR’s government, secures mining operations, and provides military training.
Impact: Reports of human rights abuses, exploitation of resources, and increased dependency on Russia for security.
- Libya
Main Focus: Military support for General Khalifa Haftar.
Activities: Direct combat support, military training, and strategic aid to Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA).
Impact: Prolonged civil conflict and increased regional instability.
- Mali
Main Focus: Counterterrorism support post-French withdrawal.
Activities: Anti-insurgent operations, military training, and government protection.
Impact: Strained relationships with Western nations and concerns over alleged human rights abuses.
- Sudan
Main Focus: Economic interests, particularly in gold mining.
Activities: Wagner assists with security for mining operations, provides strategic support to Sudanese factions, and has maintained close ties with authoritarian elements.
Impact: Increased foreign influence over Sudan’s economy, with destabilizing effects on local governance.
- Mozambique
Main Focus: Anti-insurgency in Cabo Delgado.
Activities: Counterinsurgency assistance, initially supporting the government but scaling down due to operational challenges.
Impact: Wagner’s partial withdrawal reflected challenges in adapting to local conflicts, with limited impact on long-term security.
- Kenya
Activities: Wagner is not known for direct military involvement in Kenya but is reportedly present through strategic partnerships or potential political influence.
Impact: Wagner’s influence in Kenya remains minimal, with no direct security implications but the potential for influence in political consulting or economic activities.
- Niger
Activities: Wagner reportedly reached out to Niger’s transitional military government following the 2023 coup. Offers include training and counterinsurgency operations.
Impact: Niger’s alignment with Wagner would impact its relations with Western allies, notably the U.S. and France, and might increase Russian influence in Niger’s security framework.
- Zimbabwe
Activities: Wagner’s involvement in Zimbabwe focuses on economic interests, particularly in mining, and has explored mineral exploitation partnerships.
Impact: Increased Russian influence in Zimbabwe’s resource sector; Wagner’s presence is mainly economic with limited political and security implications.
- South Africa
Activities: Wagner’s influence is limited, but political connections and affiliations with some South African political groups have raised concerns about potential influence on political narratives and resource interests.
Impact: South Africa’s ties with Russia provide an indirect pathway for Wagner influence, though no direct military activities are reported.
- Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Activities: Wagner has reportedly sought opportunities in DRC’s mining sector, including possible partnerships to secure access to rare minerals.
Impact: Potential for increased Russian influence over DRC’s resources and possible complications in foreign relations, given U.S. interests in the region.
- Cameroon
Activities: Wagner’s activities in Cameroon are low-profile but include limited security advisory and political support.
Impact: Wagner’s influence is minimal, mainly linked to maintaining regional presence without significant security involvement.
- Chad
Activities: Wagner has reportedly explored partnerships in Chad, potentially offering military training and strategic support.
Impact: Increased Russian influence in a traditionally Western-aligned nation, with potential implications for Chad’s stability and relations with France.
- Burkina Faso
Activities: After a recent coup, Burkina Faso’s military leaders considered Wagner for security support. Wagner has offered assistance with counterinsurgency efforts against JNIM militants.
Impact: If solidified, this partnership could strain Burkina Faso’s relationships with the U.S. and France and deepen its reliance on Russia.
- Equatorial Guinea
Activities: Wagner is reportedly interested in expanding its influence in Equatorial Guinea, focusing on security advisory roles and exploring economic partnerships in the oil and mining sectors.
Impact: Wagner’s involvement could increase Russian influence in the nation’s resource sectors, potentially impacting governance and foreign policy.
Overview of Wagner Group’s Broader Impacts in Africa
Security and Counterinsurgency: In conflict zones like Mali, CAR, and potentially Niger, Wagner’s support has immediate benefits for governments facing insurgencies but raises concerns about ethical practices and long-term stability.
Economic Influence and Resource Control: Wagner frequently secures lucrative resource deals, including gold, diamond, and mineral concessions in CAR, Sudan, and DRC. These deals benefit both Wagner and its client governments but may divert resources from local development.
Political Influence and Governance: Wagner’s political activities—such as election consulting in Madagascar—demonstrate its aim to increase Russian geopolitical influence in Africa, often undermining democratic processes and aligning nations with Russia.
The Wagner Group’s activities in Africa underscore a strategy to gain geopolitical influence through security services, resource control, and political ties. While some governments see Wagner as a strategic partner in bolstering national security, their activities often lead to international tensions, compromised sovereignty, and allegations of human rights violations.