International
UK Slaps Sanctions On Russian Mercenary Groups, Including Wagner Successor In Africa
The UK government announced new sanctions on Thursday targeting three Russian-linked private mercenary groups, including Africa Corps, the successor to the Wagner Group.
“These sanctions will bear down on Russian malign activity in Libya, Mali, and CAR (Central African Republic), exposing and combatting Russia’s illicit activity in Africa,” the government said in a statement. This marks the first time a G7 nation has directly sanctioned Africa Corps.
EDITOR’S PICKS
- ‘I Feel Sorry For Joshua’ After Knockout Loss To Dubois – Fury
- EPL: What We’re Lacking Is Luck – Ten Hag Reacts After Loss To West Ham
- REVEALED: Why TCN Is Struggling To Resolve Power Outages In Northern State
Russia, which once had strong influence in Africa during Soviet times, has been expanding its presence on the continent in recent years. Russian mercenaries from Wagner and now Africa Corps currently support several African governments, while Russian “advisers” work closely with local officials.
Alongside Africa Corps, the UK sanctions also target the private military group Espanola and the Bears Brigade. The move comes just before Russia hosts a major summit with African foreign ministers in Sochi, southern Russia, this weekend.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated the sanctions aim to “pushback on the Kremlin’s corrosive foreign policy, undermining Russia’s attempts to foster instability across Africa and disrupting the supply of vital equipment for Putin’s war machine” in Ukraine.
FURTHER READING
- Oko-Abe Community High School Nears Completion as Rep Wale Raji, Education Commissioner Tolani Alli-Balogun Inspect Epe Schools
- NLC Knocks IMF Over Fuel Subsidy Removal Denial
- N3 Billion Fraud: Labour Ministry Summons National Assembly Staff Leadership
This sanctions package, the UK’s largest against Russia since May 2023, also includes restrictions on suppliers aiding Russian military production and a GRU intelligence agent implicated in a 2018 chemical attack in Salisbury, UK. The UK, a major supporter of Ukraine, has committed £3 billion ($3.9 billion) annually in military aid to counter Russia’s invasion.
“Putin is nearly 1,000 days into a war he thought would only take a few. He will fail and I will continue to bear down on the Kremlin and support the Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom,” Lammy added.
Click here to watch our video of the week:
Advertise or Publish a Story on EkoHot Blog:
Kindly contact us at [email protected]. Breaking stories should be sent to the above email and substantiated with pictorial evidence.
Citizen journalists will receive a token as data incentive.
Call or Whatsapp: 0803 561 7233, 0703 414 5611