The Conversation published on 4 September 2023 a commentary titled "Russia in Africa: Prigozhin's Death Exposes Putin's Real Motives on the Continent" by Joseph Siegle, University of Maryland.
Russia's goals in Africa include securing a foothold in North Africa and the Red Sea, undermining Western influence, normalizing authoritarianism, and displacing the UN-led international system. The Wagner model has seen Russian influence expand rapidly in Africa. The challenge for Russia today is whether the Russian military has the capacity to provide experienced soldiers in Africa because Wagner troops may not be willing to sign contracts with the Russian defense ministry.
