Tag Archives: Africa

Wagner’s remnants run an opioid empire in the Central African Republic, WSJ reveals

Remnants of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group have built a drug empire in the Central African Republic on the painkiller tramadol — a fief beyond the reach of law enforcement or even Moscow itself, the Wall Street Journal reported. Up to 500 mercenaries remain along the upper Oubangui River, led by Pavel Prigozhin, son of the group’s late founder. Their control of the opioid trade now funds weapons, militias, and a deepening grip on the country. Continue reading →

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Kenya’s Official: 289 Kenyans Were Recruited into Russia’s Military. 69 Are Dead or Missing. Over 150 Are Still Unaccounted For

Kenya’s Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu has given the clearest official account yet of the scale of Kenyan involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine. Speaking on Radio Generation on Wednesday July 15, 2026, Njogu said government records show 289 Kenyans have at some point been recruited into Russia’s armed forces. Continue reading →

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Kenyan Was Offered a Driving Job in Russia. He Ended Up on Ukraine’s Front Line. He Got Out by Pretending to Be Mad.

Kenyan Was Offered a Driving Job in Russia. He Ended Up on Ukraine’s Front Line. He Got Out by Pretending to Be Mad. Continue reading →

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Botswana Issues Urgent Warning as Recruitment of Citizens for Russia’s War Rises at ‘Alarming Rate’

On July 18, 2026, Botswana’s Ministry of International Relations published an official press statement warning citizens against deceptive recruitment schemes that funnel Batswana into combat in Russia’s war against Ukraine. The statement is Botswana’s starkest public acknowledgment yet of the crisis – and it is not the government’s first. Continue reading →

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Sent in First to Die: DIU Intercepts Russian Commander Using Racial Slurs While Ordering African Mercenaries Into a Kill Zone in Donbas

Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence has published another radio intercept from the front in Donetsk region – and it captures, in the commander’s own words, how Russian forces use African and Arab recruits as expendable assault troops.
The recording involves an officer of Russia’s 1194th motorized rifle regiment. In it, he issues a combat order for a grove assault in the Donbas kill zone. The tactic is explicit: African fighters go in first to breach the position and absorb fire. Arab fighters follow behind, with the Russian officer entering last. Continue reading →

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Tanaka Muzilikazi: Another Zimbabwean Dies Fighting for Russia After Being Lured With a Guard Job

Tanaka Muzilikazi, a young Zimbabwean man, has reportedly died while serving with Russian forces in Ukraine. Zimbabwean outlet ZimEye reported his death on July 19, 2026, citing growing concern over the recruitment of Zimbabweans into Russia’s armed forces through false job offers. Photos circulating on social media show him in Russian military uniform – confirming he was deployed. Continue reading →

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Promised a Job, Sent to the Front: Four Kenyans and the Families Waiting for Them

An athlete. A security guard. A cook. A driver. Four Kenyans recruited into Russia’s war in Ukraine through different lies, by different people, at different times – all of them ending up in the same place: the front lines.
A documentary by Kenyan outlet Tuko, produced by journalist King Wangeshi, follows the families left behind and the one man who made it out alive. It puts names and faces to a crisis that the Kenyan government has acknowledged at scale: according to official figures, at least 200 Kenyans have joined Russian forces through deceptive recruitment. The government has described the situation as “extremely worrying.” Continue reading →

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The double standards on the use of mercenaries in African conflicts

There is selective outrage by global players such as the US and the UK. When viewed through the lens of foreign policy, Russia’s hostile relationship with the US and Europe could be the main reason for the extensive analysis of Russia and its mercenaries, while the UAE’s close relationships with the US and the UK could account for the limited critique. There might be sanctions against the Rapid Support Forces, yet minimal ones against its supporter, the UAE. This matters because it highlights foreign affairs over accountability. The UAE has been implicated by reports of its involvement in the conflict, including the hiring of Colombian mercenaries. The mercenaries in Sudan were hired by Colombian private military contractors who were contracted by an Emirati security company with links to the ruling party of the United Arab Emirates, according to Human Rights Watch. Continue reading →

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Insecurity, Counterterrorism and the Use of Private Military and Security Companies in Nigeria: A Qualitative Study

Insecurity, Counterterrorism and the Use of Private Military and Security Companies in Nigeria: A Qualitative Study by Tarela Juliet Ike Dung Ezekiel Jidong Mieyebi Lawrence Ike Evangelyn Ebi Ayobi Journal of… You must be logged in to view this content. … Continue reading →

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DRC leader tightens grip on power with Americas help

DRC leader tightens grip on power with Americas help Times The London England May 18 2026 p24 You must be logged in to view this content. Click here to subscribe  

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