Wagner’s mutiny may have far-reaching implications for Africa’s security
Mali, Central African Republic (CAR) and other African countries, which sought closer ties with Russia that provided them, through Wagner Group, with military support, now — following Prigozhin’s armed revolt against the Kremlin — need to carefully assess the implications of these developments and take proactive measures to mitigate any potential risks, says a latest analysis published by the Nigeria-based ‘Military Africa’.
The analysis also points out that some Wagner Group soldiers may have even left their ongoing missions in Africa and Syria to join the military coup against Russian President Vladimir Putin. It argues that this unexpected development has significant implications for both Russia and Africa, particularly in terms of security. The mercenary group has been actively involved in various African countries, most notably CAR, Libya, Mali, and Sudan, offering military and security support while expanding Russia’s influence across the continent. As Wagner’s operations primarily focus on providing security services, paramilitary assistance, and disinformation campaigns, the group’s possible withdrawal from Africa would change the geopolitical dynamics.
One of the key concerns is the potential destabilization caused by the departure of Wagner Group soldiers from ongoing missions. For example, in the case of the CAR, the withdrawal of Wagner Group forces could leave a security vacuum, allowing armed rebel groups to gain ground and destabilize the country further. The same scenario applies to other countries where the Wagner Group has been active, such as Sudan and Mali, according to the ‘Military Africa’ analysis. Additionally, the departure of Wagner Group soldiers to join the military coup against Putin suggests a lack of loyalty and discipline within their ranks. This raises questions about the potential for similar incidents in the future, both within the group and among other private military contractors operating in Africa, the analysis concludes.
