The Wagner Group presence in Africa comes with huge, defrauding economic concessions that have plunged African countries into poverty, and ultimately conflicts, with a point of no return.
The Wagner Group presence in Africa comes with huge, defrauding economic concessions that have plunged African countries into poverty, and ultimately conflicts, with a point of no return.
Mali
CAR
Mozambique
Zimbabwe
Chad
Libya
Thereafter, Russia again appears in the form of security to 'support military operations ' but with exchange of material concessions.
Edwin My hunch is that Putin was delighted to spread Russian influence in Africa and elsewhere with a cohesive mercenary group. Whether it was Putin’s idea and he encouraged his puppy dog Prigozhin to implement this program we may never know.
What strikes me is the broad range of these mercenaries—from serving as Praetorian Guards to some African dictators to organizing lucrative mineral looting operations.
Publicly we have no info on how these foreign Wagner Groups are organized and operate. I doubt that Prigozhin, physically isolated in Belarus and, presuming with funds—including his own—cut off, will be running multi-national operations.
Yevgeny Prigozhin is the founder of The Wagner Group but it has since morphed into Russian military wing and incorporated a network of business men with interests in economic resources in Africa. It is the modern-day scramble for Africa but with the use of intelligence. Little is known about how Wagner operates but as days goes by, the names of other members will be known. I will try as much as possible to get that intelligence.
Edwin From my years in Congo (1960-1966) mercenary groups were relatively small—from 25 to low 200s. I discuss the largest, Colonel Michael Hoare’s. In my Amazon review of CONGO MERCENARY, in which I also add my personal commentary of my Foreign Service experiences during the 1964 Congo rebellion.
These mercenary groups were foreign organized and funded [at times funding was interrupted]. CIA was a major organizer/funder, including the Congo Air Force staffed by Cubans left over from the Bay of Pigs.
None of these mercenary groups had a long life. In Angola in the 1970s there was a mercenary group engaged with the MPLA (Holden Roberto). Don’t know who funded, but it included a bunch of sadists, including some tried and executed by Angolan government.
I suspect that several of the African Wagner Group mercenaries could become self-supporting, since they have their own industries and some are paid by local dictators.
These mercenary groups were foreign organized and funded [at times funding was interrupted]. CIA was a major organizer/funder, including the Congo Air Force staffed by Cubans left over from the Bay of Pigs.
Edwin In the 1970s the intrusion of major Cuban troops in Angola and Ethiopia was a new dimension. Angola is worthy of study—-MPLA supported by CIA [Holden Roberto was a dilettante, Joseph Sivembi—an impressive local fighter—and the winning Angolans.
Yes, Jonas Savimbi is worthy of study. He and UNITA got support from China and US to seek independence from MPLA that was supported by the Soviet. So, Russia is always on the opposite side of the continent supporters
Edwin In my recollections of the 1960s I mixed MPLA with Holden Roberto’s National Liberation Front. Holder’s group was ‘foo foo dust,’ with a facade in Leopoldville. At one time the Congolese govt provided it $1 million. It was CIA funded. The MPLA was a genuine Angolan independence movement.
It seems MPLA, despite being in government was courteous enough to hold talks with Jonas Savimbi though he waged a civil war. The resulting impact was peace. MPLA was flexible enough to be accommodative and generous enough to accept him.
Edwin Castro claims that his despatch of Cuban troops to support MPLA was done without Soviet pre-knowledge. These troops trounced South African troops [supported by US] that moved north to fight the MPLA. The South Africans were surprised and defeated.
I like that you have foreign experience with Congo ( I will contact you to shed more light on this). And true CIA was the funder during that time, but it didn't last. But, currently, The Wagner affiliated mercenaries have their own resources. In fact, their intention is to oust the present-day regime and control resources for use and respond to any dissenting views by employing the Wagner Group. So, they are likely to last for many years.
Edwin My first African experience was leading a small group of college students to the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan in 1954. I made the first (and only?) color documentary on Sudan north and south, since the troubles in the south exploded in early 1955.
I also co-organized the first college African conference in February, 1955. This was a period of hope for independence in Africa. I have met many of Africa’s ‘best and brightest’ through Eisenhower Fellowships over the years. Though there are some excellent individuals, my current thoughts about ‘Africa’ are not exuberant.
Incidentally, when I visited Sudan in 1954 there was only one sovereign African country—Ethiopia.
Wooow. You have deep, historical relations with Africa. I think I will contact you so that you can expound on not only this, but also other broad-based issues revolving around history and Africa.
“Publicly we have no info on how these foreign Wagner Groups are organized and operate. I doubt that Prigozhin, physically isolated in Belarus and, presuming with funds—including his own—cut off, will be running multi-national operations.”
Will his funds be cut off? I have wondered if his lucrative and less constrained work in Africa may have been the carrot that led him to want to get out of Ukraine. I suppose we won’t know (at least not very soon) how independently he can continue his plundering there. But, also I wondered if Putin, being increasingly desperate for💰 might want to keep Prig’s existing infrastructure running in those vulnerable areas? So happy to read of the Biden admin’s sanctions there!
Christy Delighted in your nick name Prig. Who knows what Prig can do without Putin umbrella and $$$.Was he like a Russian candle—high trajectory, big flash, and then fluttering to ground? I wouldn’t want to hold life insurance on Prig—nor try to get money from his various bank accounts.
Edwin, I have not yet read thru all the comments so my apologies if you have already weighed in on these sanctions on Wagner associated companies that Heather referenced in today’s letter. I wonder if you have an opinion on them, particularly, whether they might be meaningful.
You ain't late. Welcome. And Yes, sanctions placed on Wagner-associated companies can be one of the major steps towards taming their influence on Africa and Middle East. But, I am also afraid that Russia might finance them when these sanctions are place. Lessening their presence in Africa and Middle East is a multifaceted issue that needs to be dealt by different countries. It can also include involving rebels through diplomatic means.
The Wagner Group presence in Africa comes with huge, defrauding economic concessions that have plunged African countries into poverty, and ultimately conflicts, with a point of no return.
Mali
CAR
Mozambique
Zimbabwe
Chad
Libya
Thereafter, Russia again appears in the form of security to 'support military operations ' but with exchange of material concessions.
Edwin My hunch is that Putin was delighted to spread Russian influence in Africa and elsewhere with a cohesive mercenary group. Whether it was Putin’s idea and he encouraged his puppy dog Prigozhin to implement this program we may never know.
What strikes me is the broad range of these mercenaries—from serving as Praetorian Guards to some African dictators to organizing lucrative mineral looting operations.
Publicly we have no info on how these foreign Wagner Groups are organized and operate. I doubt that Prigozhin, physically isolated in Belarus and, presuming with funds—including his own—cut off, will be running multi-national operations.
Yevgeny Prigozhin is the founder of The Wagner Group but it has since morphed into Russian military wing and incorporated a network of business men with interests in economic resources in Africa. It is the modern-day scramble for Africa but with the use of intelligence. Little is known about how Wagner operates but as days goes by, the names of other members will be known. I will try as much as possible to get that intelligence.
Edwin From my years in Congo (1960-1966) mercenary groups were relatively small—from 25 to low 200s. I discuss the largest, Colonel Michael Hoare’s. In my Amazon review of CONGO MERCENARY, in which I also add my personal commentary of my Foreign Service experiences during the 1964 Congo rebellion.
These mercenary groups were foreign organized and funded [at times funding was interrupted]. CIA was a major organizer/funder, including the Congo Air Force staffed by Cubans left over from the Bay of Pigs.
None of these mercenary groups had a long life. In Angola in the 1970s there was a mercenary group engaged with the MPLA (Holden Roberto). Don’t know who funded, but it included a bunch of sadists, including some tried and executed by Angolan government.
I suspect that several of the African Wagner Group mercenaries could become self-supporting, since they have their own industries and some are paid by local dictators.
I recommend that you read my 2014 review of CONGO MERCENARY.
These mercenary groups were foreign organized and funded [at times funding was interrupted]. CIA was a major organizer/funder, including the Congo Air Force staffed by Cubans left over from the Bay of Pigs.
This part summarises what's happening
Edwin In the 1970s the intrusion of major Cuban troops in Angola and Ethiopia was a new dimension. Angola is worthy of study—-MPLA supported by CIA [Holden Roberto was a dilettante, Joseph Sivembi—an impressive local fighter—and the winning Angolans.
Yes, Jonas Savimbi is worthy of study. He and UNITA got support from China and US to seek independence from MPLA that was supported by the Soviet. So, Russia is always on the opposite side of the continent supporters
Edwin In my recollections of the 1960s I mixed MPLA with Holden Roberto’s National Liberation Front. Holder’s group was ‘foo foo dust,’ with a facade in Leopoldville. At one time the Congolese govt provided it $1 million. It was CIA funded. The MPLA was a genuine Angolan independence movement.
It seems MPLA, despite being in government was courteous enough to hold talks with Jonas Savimbi though he waged a civil war. The resulting impact was peace. MPLA was flexible enough to be accommodative and generous enough to accept him.
Edwin How do you think that the daughter of the ruler in Angola became the richest woman in Africa?
Isabel dos Santos? I want to know primary data about her.
So far, I am aware of her telecommunications company.
Edwin Castro claims that his despatch of Cuban troops to support MPLA was done without Soviet pre-knowledge. These troops trounced South African troops [supported by US] that moved north to fight the MPLA. The South Africans were surprised and defeated.
I like that you have foreign experience with Congo ( I will contact you to shed more light on this). And true CIA was the funder during that time, but it didn't last. But, currently, The Wagner affiliated mercenaries have their own resources. In fact, their intention is to oust the present-day regime and control resources for use and respond to any dissenting views by employing the Wagner Group. So, they are likely to last for many years.
Edwin My first African experience was leading a small group of college students to the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan in 1954. I made the first (and only?) color documentary on Sudan north and south, since the troubles in the south exploded in early 1955.
I also co-organized the first college African conference in February, 1955. This was a period of hope for independence in Africa. I have met many of Africa’s ‘best and brightest’ through Eisenhower Fellowships over the years. Though there are some excellent individuals, my current thoughts about ‘Africa’ are not exuberant.
Incidentally, when I visited Sudan in 1954 there was only one sovereign African country—Ethiopia.
Wooow. You have deep, historical relations with Africa. I think I will contact you so that you can expound on not only this, but also other broad-based issues revolving around history and Africa.
My email is dwinkiptoo@gmail.com. we can communicate thereafter
Edwin, I hope you guys connect and share knowledge, expertise, experience and opinion. Look forward to reading any exchange you two post!
Sure. We will. I will get in-depth information in a few days.
Thank you so much for following us.
Keith this is exactly what I am curious about:
“Publicly we have no info on how these foreign Wagner Groups are organized and operate. I doubt that Prigozhin, physically isolated in Belarus and, presuming with funds—including his own—cut off, will be running multi-national operations.”
Will his funds be cut off? I have wondered if his lucrative and less constrained work in Africa may have been the carrot that led him to want to get out of Ukraine. I suppose we won’t know (at least not very soon) how independently he can continue his plundering there. But, also I wondered if Putin, being increasingly desperate for💰 might want to keep Prig’s existing infrastructure running in those vulnerable areas? So happy to read of the Biden admin’s sanctions there!
Christy Delighted in your nick name Prig. Who knows what Prig can do without Putin umbrella and $$$.Was he like a Russian candle—high trajectory, big flash, and then fluttering to ground? I wouldn’t want to hold life insurance on Prig—nor try to get money from his various bank accounts.
Edwin, I have not yet read thru all the comments so my apologies if you have already weighed in on these sanctions on Wagner associated companies that Heather referenced in today’s letter. I wonder if you have an opinion on them, particularly, whether they might be meaningful.
You ain't late. Welcome. And Yes, sanctions placed on Wagner-associated companies can be one of the major steps towards taming their influence on Africa and Middle East. But, I am also afraid that Russia might finance them when these sanctions are place. Lessening their presence in Africa and Middle East is a multifaceted issue that needs to be dealt by different countries. It can also include involving rebels through diplomatic means.