Wagner head Prigozhin emphasizes mercenary group's role in Russia and Africa

author: FutureCar Staff    

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Wagner, a Russian mercenary force, has released a new video on Telegram, declaring that the group will make Russia "greater" and Africa "freer." According to Prigozhin, the video was posted from somewhere in Africa. In the video, he states that Wagner is engaged in reconnaissance and search activities, with the goal of making Russia more prominent on all continents and Africa more liberated. Prigozhin also emphasizes the importance of justice and happiness for African nations, while expressing his determination to combat groups like ISIS, Al Qaeda, and other "bandits."

Prigozhin appears in the video armed with an assault rifle and dressed in military fatigues, surrounded by pickup trucks and other individuals in similar attire. This video follows a short-lived rebellion led by Prigozhin, which posed a significant threat to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Prigozhin, who has long benefited from Putin's patronage, has built a private army that has fought for Russian interests abroad, including participating in the war in Ukraine.

Russian social media channels associated with Prigozhin have indicated that he is recruiting fighters for operations in Africa and inviting Russian investors to contribute to the Central African Republic through the Russian House, a cultural center in the capital. The Central African Republic is one of the countries where Wagner's mercenaries have been active and accused of human rights abuses. The Kremlin has utilized the Wagner Group since 2014 as a means to expand Russia's presence in the Middle East and Africa.

Former U.S. Defense Intelligence Officer Rebekah Koffler suggests that Russia's interest in Africa is not coincidental. Africa is viewed as a vital region due to its abundant natural resources, and Putin aims to displace U.S. and Western influence in the continent. Prigozhin, likely acting on Putin's orders, is executing this strategy by conducting destabilization operations disguised as counter-terrorism training for unstable regimes. This approach serves as part of Putin's strategy to divert attention from supporting Ukraine and create additional challenges for the United States.

Prigozhin's rebellion in June, which aimed to remove the defense minister, was ultimately resolved through a deal brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Prigozhin and his fighters received amnesty in exchange for ending the uprising and were granted permission to relocate to Belarus. During the rebellion, Putin denounced Prigozhin as a traitor and threatened severe punishment, but the charges against him were later dropped. Prigozhin's current whereabouts remain unknown.

Source: The Associated Press

FutureCar Staff