Delivering unreliable results
20. Although many host governments enter agreements with the Wagner Network to shore up their own power, or to tackle insurgencies or terror groups that threaten their control, the presence of the Wagner Network rarely delivers those outcomes. Wagner fighters frequently failed to fulfil many military objectives for which they were contracted. They were unsuccessful in countering Islamist extremists in Mozambique in 2019 and their extremely early departure appears to have further undermined national security.[1] Wagner fighters faced “decimation” at the hands of the US military after the failed assault on Deir al-Zour, Syria, in 2018.[2] Furthermore, the assistance and battle support offered by Wagner fighters in the Tripoli offensive (2019–20) were insufficient to ensure victory for the LNA.[3]
21. The invitation of the Wagner Network in the first place is a sign of weakness and openness to extreme violence and corruption.
Thriving in instability
22. Witnesses noted Wagner’s vested interest in maintaining conflict[4] and impeding democratic processes. For instance, Wagner fighters have:
- Undermined international efforts to promote peace and security. Wagner fighters—along with other actors—have made the UN’s arms embargo for Libya “ineffective”, due to their continued supply of arms and military material to the country.[5] The persistent presence of its operatives violates the terms of Libya’s October 2020 ceasefire.[6]
- Weakened democratic governance and fostered corruption. Wagner’s gold-smuggling activities in Sudan enabled huge quantities of gold to bypass the state and relied in part on an illegal commercial arrangement; civilian officials attempting to challenge these practices have effectively been censured.[7]The network also advised then-President Bashir on how to suppress protests.[8] The Prigozhin-linked entity AFRIC has been involved in illegitimate election
- ↑ Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (WGN0025) section 7
- ↑ Prof. Mark Galeotti (Managing Director at Mayak Intelligence Ltd) (WGN0005) para 7
- ↑ Anonymous (WGN0014) paras 10, 14
- ↑ Sorcha MacLeod noted these kinds of actors “have a tendency to prolong the armed conflict, because they are motivated by financial gains, so they have no incentive to end the conflict. They tend to be very heavily armed and we see resulting asymmetric warfare”. Q4. See also Q103 [Mikhail Khodorkovsky] on their political influence in Russia being linked to the war in Ukraine.
- ↑ Letter dated 24 May 2022 from the Panel of Experts on Libya established pursuant to resolution 1973 addressed to the President of the Security Council S/2022/427, Annex 26, Tables 26.1 and 26.2
- ↑ Civilian officials involved in these efforts included Sudan’s anti-corruption committee (disbanded after the military coup) and officials overseeing flights (many of whom were redeployed). Russia is plundering gold in Sudan to boost Putin’s war effort in Ukraine, CNN, 29 July 2022
- ↑ Civilian officials involved in these efforts included Sudan’s anti-corruption committee (disbanded after the military coup) and officials overseeing flights (many of whom were redeployed). Russia is plundering gold in Sudan to boost Putin’s war effort in Ukraine, CNN, 29 July 2022
- ↑ Dossier Center (WGN0009) para 36
