SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Al-Monitor - Russia, Wagner Group expand ties with Sudan

13/4/2022: Al-Monitor - Russia, Wagner Group expand ties with Sudan, by Marc Espanol

Al-Monitor report on the expanded ties between the Wagner Group, “a shadowy private military company close to the Kremlin” and Sudan’s military regime, with researcher Raphael Parens arguing that Wagner does the “dirty work” for the Russian state in Africa.

After M-Invest, a Russia-based entity considered to be a cover for Wagner was given gold-mining exploration contracts in Sudan by ex-dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2017, the relationship evolved into Wagner providing political and military assistance for suppressing 2018 revolution and launching social media disinformation campaigns.

Wagner has also forged close ties with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander-in-chief Himedti, with both parties involved in extracting and smuggling Sudanese gold, which is increasingly important to Russia as it seeks to stock gold reserves in its Central Bank to mitigate Ukraine-related sanctions. Himedti subsequently raised the possibility of allowing Russia to establish a naval base in Port Sudan.