12/5/2025
In the context of the developments in Africa and its endeavor to sovereignty and compensation for the injustice and persecution of its peoples, and within new chapters of restructuring and searching for influence from international players, Russia is highlighted as a new force that seeks to enhance its presence in the continent, and markes itself with the publicity of not participating in the past coloniality of the countries of the region.
Since 2018, the Kremlin’s policy focused on attending in Africa through force and military partnerships, but it has not used regular armies, but rather through private militia companies, which achieved successes behind the fields of economics, marketing weapons, and penetration within the military systems that seized power through coups.
A new report issued by the American Rand Foundation revealed that Russia is working to enhance its unofficial military presence in Africa through groups of collaborators or mercenaries, led by the “Wagner militia”, which continued its activities on the continent even after its failed rebellion in 2023 and the killing of its leader, Yvgeni Brigujin.
The report, which was issued under the title “Russian mercenary and semi -military groups in Africa … documenting changes and influences since Wagner’s rebellion” transformations that have occurred on Russian influence on the continent during the period from mid -2023 to September 2024.
Mercenary groups
One of the most prominent militias, or mercenaries who serve the interests of Russia in Africa, is the Vagner Group, which has spread since 2018 throughout the continent.
Wagner works as an important mechanism through which Moscow seeks to reduce its growing economic and political isolation, and has helped spread Russia and expand its global influence at a relatively low cost.
As part of its endeavor to the political and economic scene in Africa, Moscow established a new military formation or a special army called the “African Legion” at the beginning of the year 2024.
According to some observers and analysts, the Legion includes 40 to 45 thousand fighters, and the mandate and recruitment operations began in December 2023 in a number of African countries and in Russia.
By applying Telegram and Russian military TV channels, advertisement was widely promoted in order for young people to join Africa, or Russian fighters who have experiences in wars.
Although the African Legion was established to be a substitute for the Wagner group that rebelled in 2023, it is still present in many countries and serves the interests of Russia.
The researchers emphasize that the organizational structure of mercenaries varies from one country to another, which gives Moscow flexibility in dealing with African governments and evading international legal obligations.
Focus on 6 countries
Unlike official speeches that claim that Russian mercenaries contribute to supporting stability and building the defense capabilities of African countries, the report of the American Rand Corporation says that these groups are in fact taking advantage of a state of security to achieve profits, especially in countries that witness armed conflicts or weakness in state institutions.
According to the report, Russian armed groups have a clear presence in 6 African countries, Sudan, Libya, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and the Central African Republic. According to the report, Russian mercenaries smuggle gold from Sudan and Mali out of the country, which is likely to waste hundreds of millions of dollars.
Some reports indicate that Russian mercenaries have received approximately $ 2.5 billion in gold since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In Libya, the groups related to Russian mercenaries carry out many illegal economic activities, such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, and falsification of local currency.
Public opinion rejects mercenaries
Analyzes directing public opinion in a number of African countries that are witnessing activity of Russian mercenaries show that the population of these armed groups is often negative.
Citizens believe that the presence of mercenaries exacerbates their security and economic suffering and does not provide solutions, as the number of attacks and deaths committed by militant Islamic groups has increased significantly since the Russian militia has replaced the United Nations security forces in West Africa
The study concludes with a warning of the activities carried out by these groups, which are made that they do not remain confined within the borders of the host countries, but rather extend to affecting the neighboring countries due to the transient violence of the illegal borders and economies that accompany the operations.