'Leaderless' Wagner Group Expected to Continue Military Support Activities in Africa

Despite the absence of its leader, the Russian private military company Wagner Group is expected to continue its military support activities across Africa.

Wagner mercenaries boarding a helicopter in northern Mali. [Image source=Yonhap News]

According to an AP report on the 28th (local time), military support activities in Africa are expected to persist even after Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Wagner Group, sought asylum in Belarus. Analysts believe that some African leaders who rely on Russia and Wagner mercenaries will not end the relationships they have maintained for years.

Currently, it is known that thousands of Wagner mercenaries are stationed in Africa. Over the past decade, the Wagner Group has secured various interests such as mineral mining rights and port usage rights in exchange for providing military support in more than eight locations within Africa. The Russian government has supported Wagner with weapons, supplies, and finances, using their local activities as leverage in its diplomacy toward Africa.

Natalia Dukan, a senior investigator at the U.S. policy research organization 'The Sentry,' stated, "(This situation) has become extremely unstable," but added, "The possibility of Africa's 'Wagner empire' suddenly collapsing like a house of cards is low." She continued, "What we have learned from investigating and analyzing Wagner Group in Africa over the past five years is that the group is resilient, creative, and fearless."

Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister, also said on the Russian state broadcaster RT, "Security support for African countries will continue." He specifically mentioned the Central African Republic and Mali, saying, "Russian government officials are maintaining contact with local leaders," and emphasized, "This rebellion will not affect relations with Russia’s partners and allies."

Federica Saini Fasanotti, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution’s Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology, also stated, "African leaders need Wagner mercenaries."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.