What does the Russian mercenary group's failed mutiny mean for its fighters in African countries?
The failed weekend mutiny in Russia by the Wagner mercenary group is likely to have repercussions for Africa, where it has several thousand fighters based as well as lucrative business interests.
Wagner has just posted a timeline of its operational history on Telegram, confirming its official involvement in Africa began in 2018 when it sent "military instructors" to the CAR and Sudan - and then moving into Libya the following year.The CAR, which has been unstable for decades, is rich in diamonds, gold, oil and uranium.
In Libya, Wagner is not thought to have the numbers of fighters in the country as it did when it backed renegade general Khalifa Haftar's attempt to take the capital, Tripoli, nearly four years ago. In Mali, figures from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project show that militant violence more than doubled between 2021 and 2022, with civilians making up the highest number of casualties.
This fan base has been helped by local troll farms, run by Mr Prigozhin, with the intention of influencing debate in Africa and whipping up anti-Western sentiment. Meanwhile all their fighters in Africa are paid by a Prigozhin holding company, Lou Osborn from the All Eyes on Wagner Project, has told the BBC - an interesting point with regard to Mr Lavrov's recent assurances to the CAR and Mali.
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