According to several media and Telegram channels, the Russian Ministry of Defense is working on a new unit: an “African corps” which would take over from Wagner.
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A Russian delegation led by the Deputy Minister of Defense is in Niamey. This is the first official visit by a member of the Russian government to this country since the July 26 coup which disrupted diplomatic relations between Niger and its international partners. The delegation led by the Russian Deputy Minister of Defense, Colonel-General Younous-bek Bamatguireevich Evkourov, was received yesterday Monday by the head of the Nigerien military regime, General Abdourahamane Tiani. At the end of this meeting, the parties proceeded to “sign documents as part of the strengthening of military cooperation between the Republic of Niger and the Russian Federation”.
Read alsoRussian Deputy Defense Minister visits Niger to strengthen military cooperation
At the same time, the research group All Eyes on Wagner assured yesterday, in a report, that the Russian presence was accelerating in Burkina Faso. And Wagner’s forces are also present in Mali alongside the regular army and regularly accused of abuses against the civilian population, as was still the case in the Niono circle a few days ago.
An African body in preparation
This future “African corps” of the Russian army is presented by certain Telegram channels as intended to take over from Wagner. Former mercenaries would already be welcome there. The conditions: a high salary of nearly 3,000 euros, free medical care, life and health insurance, all under the supervision of Deputy Defense Minister Yunous-bek Bamatguireevich Evkourov.
Other sources suggest that this unit receives direct patronage from Russian military intelligence, under the leadership of a businessman close to the president… This last scenario would be very similar to that implemented for Wagner. And so far everything indicates rather the opposite, that is to say the placing under direct control of political power.
In any case, Moscow continues to push its advantage on the continent. Among the projects which seem to be worked on with the most consistency, and which greatly worry the West, Russia’s desire to have access to the Libyan ports of either Benghazi or Tobruk. At the end of August, the Russian Deputy Defense Minister led the delegation which visited Libya at the invitation of General Haftar.
Read alsoLibya: visit of a Russian military delegation to Marshal Haftar’s Libyan National Army