It offered one or more of these services in CAR,[1] Mozambique,[2] Sudan,[3] Syria[4] and Mali.[5] The network also offered a personal protection detail for leaders; suppressed 'security threats' in the form of political protests and opposition;[6] and offered political 'consultancy' services to strengthen an incumbent regime.[7] The former Wagner fighter asserted that, except for Ukraine, Wagner operates "only by agreement with the current government",[8] However, we note that rebel military leaders have also sought the network's services to further their campaigns,[9] which appears to contradict the fighter's claim. The network's counter-terrorism services may have sometimes furthered stability. In CAR, its fighters helped the army to repel a major Islamist offensive in early 2021 and retake swathes of territory.[10] Growing concerns over terrorism in the Sahel region of Africa[11] may lead other national governments in the region to engage the network's services.
17. Host governments and other non-regime actors must perceive benefits from engaging with the Wagner Network, because they consider it the most effective form of protection and security. There are examples of its fighters furthering a regime's security objectives, even if this meant neutering political opposition.
- ↑ In 2018, Wagner offered services to defend the President against rebel attacks on the capital. It also helped the army to repel a major Islamist offensive in early 2021. Wagner trained the army against further coup attempts. There are 1,890 'Russian instructors' supporting government troops in the ongoing civil war, according to the Russian Ambassador (DW) and 1,500 according to Western officials (FT). Sources: Council on Foreign Relations, 'What Russia's Wagner Group Doing in Africa?', May 2023 (accessed 17 July 2023); Diamond-rich African country is a zombie host for Wagner Group, The Times, 19 May 2023; Wagner mercenaries will not be withdrawn from Africa, says Russia, The Guardian, 26 June 2023; How Russia's Wagner Group Is Expanding in Africa, The New York Times, 31 May 2022; United States Institute of Peace, 'In Africa, Here's How to Respond to Russia's Brutal Wagner Group', 6 April 2023 (accessed 16 July 2023); DW, 'Russia's Wagner Group in Africa: More than mercenaries', 24 June 2023 (accessed 16 July 2023); Wagner's future in Africa in question after Russian mutiny, Financial Times, 28 June 2023
- ↑ In Mozambique, it offered to fight self-proclaimed Islamic State in northern Cabo Delgado province. Council on Foreign Relations, 'What Is Russia's Wagner Group Doing in Africa?', May 2023 (accessed 17 July 2023)
- ↑ In Sudan, Wagner provided advisers and riot control gear. How Russia's Wagner Group Is Expanding in Africa, The New York Times, 31 May 2022; United States Institute of Peace, 'In Africa, Here's How to Respond to Russia's Brutal Wagner Group', 6 April 2023 (accessed July 2023); Wagner's future in Afri in question aft Russian mutiny, Financial Times, 28 June 2023
- ↑ Wagner forces attempted to drive Islamist State forces out of the city of Palmyra in 2016 and 2017. Middle East Institute, 'Syria is where the conflict between Wagner and the Russian government began', 14 July 2023 (accessed 16 July 2023)
- ↑ From December 2021, Wagner acted to counter "complex set of numerous jihadi terrorist groups and regional Tuareg and other self-autonomy movements operates in the country" (including al-Qaida Sahel affiliates such as Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (IS-GS)). Wagner operatives also carried out training. Brookings, 'Russia's Wagner Group in Africa: Influence, commercial concessions, rights violations, and counterinsurgency failure', February 2022 (accessed 16 July 2023)
- ↑ In CAR, the Network offered personal protection to the President. Sudan, the Network suppressed dissent against the government of President Bashir. Council on Foreign Relations, 'What Is Russia's Wagner Group Doing in Africa?', May 2023 (accessed 17 July 2023)
- ↑ For example, in CAR and Sudan. CIR open-source research
- ↑ Anonymous (WGN0026)
- ↑ In Sudan, Wagner were contracted by Bashir, but they then supported the generals who ousted him (including Dagalo/Hemedti). In Eastern Libya, Wagner assisted General Haftar to take control of oil fields and supported the failed assault on Tripoli. Council on Foreign Relations, 'What Is Russia's Wagner Group Doing in Africa?', May 2023 (accessed 17 July 2023); Brookings, 'Russia's Wagner Group in Africa: Influence, commercial concessions, rights violations, and counterinsurgency failure', February 2022 (accessed 16 July 2023); How Russia's Wagner Group Is Expanding in Africa, The New York Times, 31 May 2022
- ↑ How Russia's Wagner Group Is Expanding in Africa, The New York Times, 31 May 2022; Diamond-rich African country is a zombie host for Wagner Group, The Times, 19 May 2023
- ↑ Inside the stunning growth of Russia's Wagner Group, POLITICO, 18 February 2023; HM Government, Integrated Review Refresh 2023: Responding to a more contested and volatile world, CP 811, March 2023, para 9 Council on Foreign Relations, 'What Is Russia's Wagner Group Doing in Africa?', May 2023 (accessed 17 July 2023).
