The 19th century Wagnere century is known for its warlike music. The contemporary Wagner, in fatigues and sunglasses, is conquering Africa. Kalashnikov slung over his shoulder, preceded by propagandists and followed by traffickers, he obeyed the Kremlin in a hurry to find support on the international scene in times of war.
For eleven months, the frantic use of “cannon fodder” fighters for the Ukrainian theater has not forced the group led by Yevgueni Prigojine to thin the ranks of its mercenaries deployed abroad. In 2022, the businessman, a former convict, sought to consolidate his presence in African countries, and even beyond.
With mixed results. Discreet in Mali, forward-looking in the Central African Republic, announced in Burkina Faso but reducing its sails in Libya and Syria, leaving Serbia as quickly as it arrived there, the Wagner Group is opportunistic, like the Russian diplomacy of which it matches interests.
“Wagner’s business model is predation and direct state funding. Predation also makes it possible to finance its operations in Europe”, observes a French military source. The group, she says, “does not affect the security situation: it is very degraded in Mali. But it isolates the leaders. Russia is destabilizing in Africa because it can help manage the conflict in Europe. Rallying African voices not to be condemned at the UN is also interesting for her. There is a game of strategic weighting between the two continents”.
A private group operating outside any legal framework
This prospect worries Westerners. On January 26, the US Treasury placed under sanctions six individuals and twelve entities linked to the Wagner Group, qualified “transnational criminal organization (…) affiliated with the Kremlin”. His contribution to the Russian invasion of Ukraine is not the only cause. “Wagner personnel have engaged in a continuing pattern of serious criminal activity, including mass executions, rape, child abduction and physical abuse in the Central African Republic and Mali”notes the US Treasury.
The war in Ukraine has brought about a change of scale for the Russian military company, which had 9,000 soldiers across all countries at the end of 2021. After massive recruitment in 2022, it would employ around 50,000 soldiers in Ukraine alone – including 40,000 taken from court. Its arsenal includes tanks, helicopters and fighter planes. All entrusted to a private group operating outside any legal framework, which demonstrates the closeness between Yevgueni Prigojine and Vladimir Putin.
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