Prigozhin, who founded the Wagner Group oversaw the deployment of the private military companies fighters in several African including the Central African Republic, Mali and Libya.
“What we have observed is more continuity and evolution of their engagement on the continent and in Mali, which largely has contributed to this increase, where violence involving the Wagner group has doubled,” said ACLED's Associate Analysis Coordinator for West Africa, Héni Nsaibia.
After Prigozhin’s death, Wagner’s structure and operations were absorbed into Africa Corps, along with his son Pavel. Recruitments took place in December. Wagner fighters were given a choice; disband or join the new crew. To quell speculation about the group’s continued existence, top Russian officials visited a few African leaders to reassure them of continuity and support, Nsaibia explained.”
“There was a major battle that happened only a few weeks ago and it was the first major defeat by the Wagner Group on the African continent with estimations ranging from between 50 to 80 mercenaries kill. This created a shift in the momentum with now in certain groups and rebel groups getting into their own kind boom cycle. We will see how this will unfold in the coming months.” said Nsaibia.
He said that as it looks now, the situation is really deteriorating and the conflict in Mali and in the Sahel regions is deepening and becoming more brutalised just based on the tactics that they see.
-ChannelAfrica--
