The Wagner Group, a Russian mercenary outfit with a controversial legacy, has rebranded itself as ‘Africa Corps’ in the Sahel region of West Africa. This change in nomenclature, evoking the Nazi ‘Afrika Korps‘ of World War II, occurs amidst Russia’s deepening involvement in Africa, highlighted by the recent tour of the Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-bek Yevkurov to Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
Initially emerging as a key player in conflicts across the Central African Republic, Libya, and other African nations since 2018, the Wagner Group has been mired in international scandals. Its former leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, known for his close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, was a pivotal figure until his alleged death in a bombing in August, speculated to be orchestrated by Putin himself. This incident marked a significant turning point in the group’s operations.
A Russian mercenary from Wagner PMC in the Central African Republic (CAR). Autumn 2022, CAR. Photo credits: Russian media
The rebranding to ‘Africa Corps’ is indicative of a common practice among mercenary groups to reshape their identities post leadership changes or amidst controversies. A similar transition was seen with the U.S. firm Blackwater, which rebranded to Constellis Holdings following the Nisour Square Massacre.
The Wagner Group’s rebranding is set against the backdrop of Putin’s paradoxical stance in Ukraine, where he claimed to be ‘denazifying’ a country led by a Jewish president, Volodymyr Zelensky, while certain pro-Russian forces have been identified as neo-Nazis. This stands in stark contrast to the group’s new name, resonating with Nazi military history.
In the larger scope of Russia’s foreign policy, the renaming of the Wagner Group emphasizes Russia’s strategic intentions in Africa, particularly in countries experiencing power vacuums and political instability due to recent coups. Russia’s increasing influence in these nations signifies a significant shift in the continent’s geopolitical landscape.
