Russia is openly expanding its military presence in Africa through a new paramilitary force called Africa Corps, analysts say.
This move marks a shift from relying on mercenaries to deploying a state-controlled military footprint across the continent.
Africa Corps is stepping up especially in francophone West Africa, where France’s influence has sharply declined.
The force fills the void left by Wagner, the notorious mercenary group that withdrew from Mali in June after its founder’s death.
The Kremlin has long denied any official link to Wagner, whose leader died in a 2023 plane crash after a failed rebellion near Moscow.
Security expert Nicholas Chkhaidze said Moscow now favors “managed visibility” over plausible deniability, signaling a clear government role in Africa Corps operations.
Junta-led states in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have distanced themselves from France and drawn closer to Russia.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Moscow’s intent to deepen defence and security cooperation with African nations.
While Wagner was known for brutal tactics condemned by rights groups, Africa Corps includes many Wagner veterans, some former convicts.
Experts expect violence and harsh counterinsurgency methods to continue despite the change in name and command structure.
The RAND Corporation notes Russian mercenaries operate in several African countries, and Africa Corps aims to replace Wagner’s footprint.
Analysts warn that Russia’s overt presence risks deeper entanglement in long-term conflicts, potentially damaging Kremlin prestige.
Local populations see Africa Corps as a mere rebranding of Wagner, with little hope for improved security or human rights.
Reports detail torture and abuses committed under Wagner’s watch, fueling fears that such violence will persist.
For many Africans, the new force represents the same harsh reality amid one of the region’s worst security crises in a decade.