In a bold move to counter growing Russian influence in Africa, the UK government announced new sanctions on Thursday, targeting three Kremlin-linked mercenary groups operating on the continent.
Among those sanctioned is Africa Corps, the successor to Russia’s infamous Wagner Group, marking the first direct sanctions by a G7 nation against the organization.
“These sanctions will bear down on Russian malign activity in Libya, Mali, and CAR (Central African Republic), exposing and combatting Russia’s illicit activity in Africa,” the UK government stated.
The sanctions package aims to disrupt Russia’s operations on the continent, where Africa Corps and other private military groups have forged close ties with local governments, allegedly supplying arms and training forces in exchange for lucrative resources.
This sanction comes just days before a high-profile summit between Russian leaders and African foreign ministers in Sochi, underscoring the Kremlin’s attempts to deepen its ties with African nations.
The timing of the UK’s actions highlights its commitment to countering Russia’s expanding sphere of influence.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized that the sanctions were part of a broader strategy to curb Kremlin-backed instability in Africa and to stymie any indirect support for Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
“These measures continue the UK’s pushback on the Kremlin’s corrosive foreign policy, undermining Russia’s attempts to foster instability across Africa and disrupting the supply of vital equipment for Putin’s war machine,” Lammy said.
The UK’s new sanctions are its largest package against Russia since May 2023. In addition to targeting Africa Corps, the sanctions also encompass two other private military outfits—Espanola and the Bears Brigade—as well as several suppliers allegedly linked to Russia’s military production network.
The sanctions come amid ongoing support from the UK for Ukraine, with London committing to provide £3 billion ($3.9 billion) annually in military aid to counter Russia’s invasion.
Lammy reinforced the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine and its efforts to hinder Russian influence abroad.
“Putin is nearly 1,000 days into a war he thought would only take a few. He will fail, and I will continue to bear down on the Kremlin and support the Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom,” he declared.
With Russia’s African outreach increasingly under Western scrutiny, the UK’s move signals a concerted effort to weaken Moscow’s partnerships on the continent, adding pressure on the Kremlin to scale back its involvement in African conflicts and resource deals.