Friday (March 11th): Goïta and the Wagner Group

Name? Assimi Goïta

Westphalian identity? Malian

Age? 39

Why is he in the news? Since coming to power, Malian Interim President and two-time coupist, Assimi Goïta, has used Russian private military contractors, Wagner Group, to stabilise Mali. The group is also active in other states such as the Central African Republic in an effort to open a door for Russia to spread its influence in the region. 

Why do we care? With its bolstered support from the Kremlin, the group will secure Putin’s influence as Russia is hit by Western sanctions. Putin has seen opportunity in approximating himself with African leaders such as Goïta, by creating a broader range of influence beyond ex-soviet states. With a neo-scramble for Africa taking place, Putin decided to use the Wagner Group as one of his pawns. 

Why should you care? As the Wagner Group’s stream of income increases through military deployments, they will become more prominent and a force to be reckoned with in Africa. However, with the prospect of war in Mali continuing, this partnering with an unofficial state entity will continue to break Goïta’s relations with the West and continue the conflict in Mali, with the risks attached to private military contractors and their track records on human rights. You should care 6/10.

Who else cares? Sudanese leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has close ties with Putin and the Kremlin. Before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Sudanese officials took an 8-day trip to Moscow. Following the visit al-Burhan announced that Sudan is open to allowing Russia to build a naval base in Sudan; another vulnerable state where Wagner Group troops have already been deployed

Any further comments? The allowance of the group into Africa has opened the door for Russia to gain access to many of its natural resources. Trading military expertise for access to mines has allowed Putin new economic and geopolitical advantages and Goïta much needed stability and legitimacy without Western (French) conditions.