The United Kingdom on Thursday moved to sanction 13 individuals and businesses in Sudan, Central African Republic (CAR) and Mali with alleged links to the actions of Russia’s infamous mercenary Wagner Group.
Wagner Group has operated in these countries for years and has been a powerful tool for Russia to pursue its policy interests in Africa. The group has profited from mining operations on the continent and providing armed support and protection to militias and poor African governments. That support has seen hundreds of civilians killed, and Wagner’s fighters have been accused of committing human rights violations across Africa.
In March 2022, Britain sanctioned the Wagner Group; its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin; and several of his key commanders who have participated in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In a statement on Thursday announcing the new sanctions, the British Foreign Office said that among these actions were executions and torture in Mali and CAR, as well as “threats to peace and security” in Sudan.
