Analysis

Russia's Wagner activities expanding in Libya despite growing Western scrutiny 

The Wagner Group has sought to use Libya as a forward base for its activities in the Sahel region, particularly Chad and Niger, while building spheres of influence with local communities and smuggling networks in the southern border regions of Libya.
A set of ammunition, ordnance and armoured vehicles, including projectiles, rockets, shells and mortars, are seen at a demining group headquarters in Hay al-Andalus on March 29, 2022 Tripoli, Libya. Russian backed Wagner Group, aligned with commander Khalifa Haftar in east, left behind hundreds of unmarked mines and booby-traps scattered amongst civilian areas in the suburbs around the Libyan capital. 
A set of ammunition, ordnance and armoured vehicles, including projectiles, rockets, shells and mortars, are seen at a demining group headquarters in Hay al-Andalus on March 29, 2022 Tripoli, Libya. Russian backed Wagner Group, aligned with commander Khalifa Haftar in east, left behind hundreds of unmarked mines and booby-traps scattered amongst civilian areas in the suburbs around the Libyan capital.  - Nada Harib/Getty Images
Mohamed Eljarh
Mohamed Eljarh
@Eljarh

As the war in Ukraine enters its second year, both the United States and Europe have focused their attention on the Wagner Group, the Russian private military contractor, and its activities in Libya and other parts of Africa.

This scrutiny comes as the United States designated Wagner an international criminal organization in January and is seeking to isolate the group financially and politically. Europe is likely to follow suit, also seeking to increase pressure on Wagner and its backers.

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