Russia’s SVR foreign intelligence agency has taken over mercenary group Wagner’s influence operations in Africa after the death of its founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, according to a new investigation.
Wagner, whose brutal methods have been denounced by rights organisations, was Russia’s best-known mercenary group.
It had a widespread presence in Africa, deploying fighters alongside the armies of countries including Libya and Mali, and also conducted vast disinformation and destabilisation campaigns.
After Prigozhin died in a plane crash in 2023 following a short-lived mutiny against Moscow, the Russian defence ministry has sought to replace Wagner in Africa and coordinate security operations through an umbrella group known as the Africa Corps.
But it is the SVR that has taken over Wagner’s influence operations, aimed at pushing Moscow’s political and economic interests, conducting disinformation campaigns and eliminating competition in Africa and beyond, according to an investigation by a consortium of investigative and media outlets, including Forbidden Stories and All Eyes On Wagner.
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