Ukraine war: UK criticised for ‘lack of understanding’ of Wagner’s activities in Africa

BBC News:

The UK government has been sharply criticised by the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) for under-estimating the dangerous growth of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group.

In a scathing report, the cross-party committee of MPs accused the government of what it called “a dismal lack of understanding” of Wagner’s activities in Africa.

“We are deeply concerned by the government’s dismal lack of understanding of Wagner’s hold beyond Europe, in particular their grip on African states,” says the Committee’s chair, Alicia Kearns MP.

Meaning what, exactly?

The report itemises seven states where Wagner’s military activity has been detected: Ukraine, Syria, the Central African Republic (CAR), Sudan, Libya, Mozambique and Mali.

Wagner has developed a highly successful and profitable business model in these countries, enriching itself and its client rulers, mostly at the expense of the local population.