Russia Forms African Army as a Replacement for Wagner Group Mercenaries
Russia is embarking on a new initiative to strengthen its influence in Africa by forming an African Army a military force intended to replace Wagner group’s mercenaries on the continent.
The move aims to enhance Russia’s military footprint by establishing Defense Ministry-controlled bases across Africa, reflecting Moscow’s desire to regain Cold War-era influence amid diminishing Western power.
The creation of an African Army also allows the Kremlin to consolidate control over Wagner’s business network in Africa, including potentially lucrative mining ventures, following the death of Wagner’s founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin.
The Africa Corps/Army, despite its controversial name reminiscent of Adolf Hitler’s expeditionary force, plans to recruit new members and former Wagner fighters by mid-year.
Recruitment
The group intends to deploy to at least five Russia-friendly countries: Burkina Faso, Libya, Mali, the Central African Republic, and Niger. Wagner, though technically disbanded after Prigozhin’s demise, remains operational.
However, challenges loom as the group seeks 20,000 soldiers, and Russia is concurrently attempting to recruit an additional 250,000 troops for the conflict in Ukraine.
Transitioning to an official military role eliminates the plausible deniability the Kremlin previously maintained regarding Wagner’s operations, particularly in response to UN accusations of war crimes in Africa.
The initial deployment in Burkina Faso involved around 100 Russian troops tasked with providing security for Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who seized power in a 2022 military coup.
While this marks a modest beginning, the African Army envisions grander plans, including establishing a regional headquarters in the Central African Republic (CAR), where Wagner has been involved in a brutal campaign on behalf of the president.
The CAR base’s location is currently undisclosed, but plans are underway, reflecting the intensification of security cooperation with Russia since Prigozhin’s death.
The African Army initiative represents a significant geopolitical and diplomatic shift, especially with the withdrawal of French troops from Mali and Burkina Faso.
It signals Russia’s opportunistic approach to exploit power vacuums and advance its interests in the region, albeit with potential repercussions and challenges ahead.
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The Sahel Region a Focal Point for the new Russian African Army
The Sahel region has become a focal point for Moscow as it seizes opportunities arising from the turmoil in West Africa, fueled by military coups and Islamist insurgencies in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
This unrest has been intensified by popular resentment toward former colonial power France and perceived Western interference.
In September, Russia, along with Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, inked a mutual defense pact, signaling Moscow’s strategic moves in the region.
Chad, considered the last bastion of Western influence in the Sahel, recently engaged in talks with Russian President Putin in Moscow, further indicating a shift in alliances.
The US State Department has expressed apprehension about Russia potentially securing a military presence in Niger, a country hosting a significant US drone base.
The junta in Niger, which expelled French troops last year, is exploring partnerships with Russia, raising concerns about complicating existing diplomatic ties.
Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, overseeing the transition of Wagner activities in Africa and the Middle East, visited Niger in December.
This visit was followed by the Nigerien prime minister’s trip to Moscow for talks and the signing of a new defense agreement with the Kremlin this month.
Natural Resource Extraction
In November, Mali witnessed the recapture of the strategic northern town of Kidal with the assistance of Russian fighters.
Wagner contractors, a significant presence in various countries, are gradually being replaced by regular army forces in Mali.
Alongside supporting regimes, the African Army, an initiative set to replace Wagner’s activities, is expected to continue the focus on resource extraction to generate hard currency for financing the war in Ukraine.
While the Africa Corps may be viewed as a rebranding exercise, it already marks a notable success for Russia.
The shift from Wagner to the Africa Corps presents a new phase in Moscow’s strategy, allowing it to navigate around Western deterrence efforts.
The emergence of the Africa Corps reflects a nuanced expansion of Russian influence in the Sahel region, challenging existing power dynamics and altering geopolitical alignments.
