Wagner is Wagner everywhere

And there are discussions between the White House and much more radical congressmen about this.

To be fair, the thugs under the wing of Putin's chef have already been honored with the title of "global criminal organization," but American lawmakers believe that this status is too loyal to mercenaries.

The president argues that there may be problems with the leaders of some African countries who, let's say, "did business" with the Wagner PMC, and, therefore, if the PMCs are recognized as terrorists, they will also be subject to sanctions. The United States, of course, would not want to lose ground on the giant continent, which not only Russia (as evidenced by Sergey Lavrov's recent tour of Africa) but also China have a greedy eye on.

But I think that the American leader's doubts are somewhat belated. It should be understood that African "leaders" who invite Prigozhin's "wild geese" to their territories do not do so for reasons of hospitality. Usually, they are motivated by maintaining power, suppressing the opposition, extinguishing tribal conflicts, or exterminating those who seek independence, with good reason. And they pay Russian bandits not in rubles or even dollars. It's just that Prigozhin, as I've written about before, uses "peacekeeping terrorists" with far-reaching plans. For him, the Wagner Group is not just a militant group, but also a racketeering gang that actually "knocks" the most profitable sectors of the local economy out of the hands of national governments. In particular, we are talking about diamond, gold mining and other businesses. After receiving "consent" from African "leaders," Prigozhin and Co. quickly organize companies there that eventually enter the international market.

“Prigozhin, as I have written about before, uses "peacekeeping terrorists" with far-reaching plans. For him, the Wagner Group is not just a militant group, but also a racketeering gang that actually "knocks" the most profitable sectors of the local economy out of the hands of national governments. In particular, we are talking about diamond, gold mining and other businesses”

By the way, Bloomberg recently reported that Russians are showing great interest in the tourist attractions of Africa. It is known that Western sanctions have significantly limited the ability of the inhabitants of Putin's land to expand Russia's illusory borders, which, according to their leader, do not end anywhere. Moreover, Russians are intensively looking for the same "brothers in misery," that is, countries with sanctioned regimes. For example, Emmanuel Fundira, president of the Zimbabwe Safari Operators Association, told Bloomberg that he has seen an increase in the number of clients outside of traditional markets, "especially at the expense of Russia." And the government in Harare is "suffering" from international restrictions imposed for human rights violations and election fraud.

Therefore, the Americans should have no worries about "deteriorating relations" with the African leaders of Sudan, Libya, the Central African Republic, Mozambique, Mali, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, and Chad, where Wagner's people feel at home. The same Zimbabwean "leader" Emmerson Mnangagwa has already made friends not only with Lavrov (and Prigozhin, of course), but also with the Belarusian president, Iranian leaders, and Chinese officials.

“It is important that the profits from dubious activities on the Black Continent, of course, feed the Wagner PMC directly, providing funds not only for the maintenance of mercenaries but also for black deals with the supply of weapons and ammunition. Worthy of note are reports that the Wagner men now fighting near the Ukrainian town of Bakhmut are likely to receive deadly weapons and ammo from Iran and even North Korea”

It is important that the profits from dubious activities on the Black Continent, of course, feed the Wagner PMC directly, providing funds not only for the maintenance of mercenaries but also for black deals with the supply of weapons and ammunition. Worthy of note are reports that the Wagner men now fighting near the Ukrainian town of Bakhmut are likely to receive deadly weapons and ammo from Iran and even North Korea.

In a situation where, according to Prigozhin Telegram channels, Shoigu's ministry has begun to refuse to supply the militants with ammunition and equipment, such "overseas" support is quite relevant. And it is possible that Putin's chef will not stop at Tehran or Pyongyang, but will develop a network of possible suppliers further.

After all, it's no secret that Prigozhin is not averse to using the "African scheme" in the Ukrainian Donbas. Seriously, in fact, Russians in the Soledar and Bakhmut area are not so much interested in favorable strategic positions or logistics hubs, but rather in deposits of salt and rare clays and, possibly, shale. That is, control over the richest reserves of raw materials, which could then be used to make a lot of money.

Perhaps this fact will convince the White House and the US leader that terrorists should be called what they really are. After all, they say that a document has already appeared in Congress, according to which the Prigozhin units that attack Ukrainians in Donbas will be recognized as FTOs. Well, America will not care about "good relations" with the leaders of the "L/DPR"...

About the author. Ihor Hulyk is a journalist and editor-in-chief of the Espreso website.

The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the authors of the blogs.