Russia will employ new military unit across Africa

Significance

Unlike the Wagner private military company (PMC), it is subordinated to the Russian state. The first confirmed deployment of African Corps forces is to Burkina Faso, where it will provide security for the military government of Ibrahim Traore. It is also rumoured to have replaced Wagner in Libya. Further deployments are expected in Mali, Central African Republic (CAR) and Niger.

Impacts

• Russia will continue forging strong relations with authoritarian governments in Africa, many of which have poor human rights records.
• Russia’s use of state- and semi-state forces will continue to evolve and pose challenges for attribution and accountability.
• Moscow will also use economic tools such as energy and arms sales to increase its influence on the continent.