Wagner`s presence in Africa remains significant - Pentagon chief

The private military company Wagner maintains a significant presence on the African continent.

This was stated by the United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, RBC-Ukraine reports citing Voice of America.

"The Wagner PMC still has a significant presence on the continent," he said during his visit to Djibouti.

He also added that more than a month after the death of Wagner's founder Yevgeny Prigozhin, the United States has not seen any significant changes in the relationship between the PMC and the Kremlin or signs that Moscow has taken over the group's operations across Africa.

"I think in the future you will see some competition within their ranks as to who will be the next leader. I think you'll also see the Russian government try to either replace the Wagner PMC with some other element or use Russian troops to support the efforts on the continent," Austin said.

The Pentagon chief clarified that Wagner PMC mercenaries will probably be able to maintain their presence in Africa in the near future, but it will be difficult for them to do so in the medium and long term in the absence of support from the Kremlin.

Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 26/09/2023