Reports indicate that Russia may have dispatched mercenaries from the African Corps to Equatorial Guinea, with sightings in the city of Bata suggesting an expansion of their activities. Key Russian diplomats, including Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-bek Yevkurov, have engaged with local leadership, while Belarus also has mercenary interests in the region. The scenario represents a broader strategy of Russian influence in Africa, which remains under scrutiny.
Recent reports suggest that the Russian Federation has possibly deployed mercenaries from its African Corps to Equatorial Guinea. According to eyewitness accounts published by DiarioRombe on their X account, these mercenaries have been observed in the city of Bata, where the movement of their vehicles indicates a potential expansion of their operations. The individuals in the footage are dressed in MultiCam camouflage, a pattern widely used across the globe, making it difficult to definitively link them to Russian forces. \n\nAdditionally, it is noteworthy that significant diplomatic engagements occurred in June between Russian officials, including Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-bek Yevkurov and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and Equatorial Guinea’s leaders. Yevkurov reportedly oversees the Russian Federation’s operations in several African nations, including Libya, Niger, and Burkina Faso. Notably, there has been no coverage in Russian media or affiliated outlets regarding the presence of any mercenary groups in Equatorial Guinea. \n\nInterestingly, Belarus has also shown interest in Equatorial Guinea, having sent a contingent of mercenaries from the GardService company. Previous reports have indicated that Viktor Granov, a businessman known for his connections to arms dealer Viktor Bout, was involved in arms dealings in Africa. He was reportedly aboard a cargo plane that crashed in Sudan recently. Furthermore, various training facilities in Russia, particularly in Krasnodar Krai, have been utilized for training these mercenaries, especially following the formation of the so-called African Corps after July 2023.
The discussion surrounding the deployment of mercenaries is framed within the broader context of Russian foreign policy in Africa. The Russian Federation has been actively pursuing alliances in the African continent, often using private military companies (PMCs) to extend its influence. Mercenaries affiliated with the African Corps are part of this strategy, with operations reportedly spanning multiple nations within Africa. The involvement of key Russian political and military figures further emphasizes the significance of these activities. Notably, the recent diplomatic engagements with Equatorial Guinea highlight the country’s strategic importance to Russia amidst a backdrop of competing interests from nations such as Belarus. Understanding the geopolitical dynamics at play is crucial for comprehending the implications of these mercenary deployments.
In summary, the potential deployment of Russian mercenaries in Equatorial Guinea underscores the ongoing expansion of Russia’s influence on the African continent. The observed movements in Bata, combined with the diplomatic interactions between Russian officials and the Equatorial Guinean leadership, hint at a strategic endeavor to bolster military presence in the region. While there is currently limited information regarding the operations of these mercenaries, the involvement of both Russian and Belarusian entities signifies the increasing complexity of geopolitical interactions in Africa.
Original Source: mil.in.ua
