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Russia is trading paramilitary control for henchmen in Africa
Russia replaces the notorious Wagner Group in Africa with the controlled Afrika Corps. What is behind Putin's strategy? A look at the geopolitical changes and their effects.
Russia is trading paramilitary control for henchmen in Africa
Wagner, a feared Russian mercenary group known for a failed uprising against Moscow and accused of committing serious human rights abuses against civilians in Africa, is being replaced on the continent by another Russian paramilitary unit. According to experts, the successor group is the Kremlin-controlled Africa Corps.
Wagner and Russia's military presence in Africa
For years, Wagner, which is funded by the Russian state and praised by President Vladimir Putin in 2023 for its “courage and bravery,” has embodied Russia’s military ambitions in the Sahel. This semi-arid region stretches from Senegal to Sudan and is plagued by recurring coups, armed rebellions and extremist violence.
With Wagner's withdrawal from large parts of this region, where political instability prevails, the Kremlin appears to want to build a controlled but unofficial military in order to be able to intervene more effectively. Putin revealed on one Russia-Africa summit in 2023 that the Kremlin has concluded “military-technical cooperation agreements with more than 40 African countries” to provide a wide range of weapons and equipment.
The role of the Africa Corps
As Wagner's successor, the Africa Corps is becoming increasingly anchored in the region. According to the group's official Telegram channel, the corps is not independent but reports to the Russian Ministry of Defense. It consists of elite combat commanders of the Russian army. “Priority” was also given to current and former Wagner fighters in recruitment, a post on the Africa Corps Telegram channel in January 2024 revealed.
In several regions, particularly in Mali, where Wagner suffered some of the heaviest casualties, Africa Corps has begun conducting joint operations with local forces against militias. Wagner announced in June 2023 that it would leave Mali after completing a three-and-a-half-year counterinsurgency mission.
The situation in the Central African Republic
A similar withdrawal of Wagner is also being discussed for the Central African Republic (CAR), where the group has been operating since 2018 and is considered a dominant force. Military officials in CAR recently reported that Russia's Defense Ministry had asked to deploy the Africa Corps in place of Wagner and pay in cash for its services. So far it has remained unclear how Wagner will be compensated for providing military services in CAR.
Martin Ziguélé, an opposition MP and former prime minister, reported that the payment was “extremely hidden and discreet” by the CAR government. Previous investigations have found that companies linked to former Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin have acquired licenses to mine gold and diamonds in the CAR.
Russia's change of strategy in Africa
Russia's move to replace Wagner in Africa could be interpreted as a strategic realignment by Moscow, said senior analyst Héni Nsaibia. “With the Wagner name badly damaged after the uprising and Prigozhin's death, Russia is likely to place its military activities abroad under greater state control and remove the 'Wagner' brand from public view in favor of a new name such as Africa Corps,” he explained.
This restructuring allows Russia to distance itself from the mercenary narrative while maintaining a strong presence in the region. Institutionalizing military operations in Africa could also benefit the Kremlin in other aspects, including greater control over operations and potentially greater international legitimacy.
The challenges of security in the Sahel
Despite the realignment, it remains unclear to what extent the security situation in the Sahel will actually improve as a result of the exchange of Wagner with the Africa Corps. The security situation in the region is deteriorating and reports indicate that terrorist activities are increasing in intensity and complexity in some areas. The UN warns that security challenges in the Sahel “go beyond the capacity of national governments” and therefore require global support.
The situation remains tense and intensive international efforts are needed to provide humanitarian assistance that respects human rights and ensures that assistance does not contribute to further destabilization of the region.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the current development of the Russian military presence in Africa and the associated geopolitical implications.