Russian mercenaries in the Congo

RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS - In Brief 28 May 2024 by Alex Teddy
Russia increased its number of mercenaries in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2024. The DRC is a former Belgian colony. Memories of Belgian rule mean that anti-Western sentiment is widespread. Moscow is keen to remind people in the DRC that the Soviet Union agitated for decolonization. Russia emphasizes this throughout the Global South or what it prefers to call the "Global Majority". There are around 1,000 mercenaries in the Russian-controlled Africa Corps in Goma, DRC. Not all are Russian—some are Belarussian, Serbian and other nationalities. The Africa Corps says its men are only there as advisers. It is thought that there are around 5,000 Africa Corps mercenaries in Africa. A Romanian mercenary organization is also in the DRC. American mercenaries are keen to get a slice of the pie but so far are not active in the country. It is said that the Africa Corps has a cooperative relationship with other foreign mercenary companies. The Africa Corps is the new name for Wagner mercenaries in the continent. It has been accused of a host of human rights abuses in several African countries by various human rights organizations. It is also alleged that it helped pro-Moscow dictators rig elections. The Africa Corps manipulates the media assiduously. Western governments accuse the Africa Corps of exploiting natural resources. In March 2024 Russia said it made a military cooperation agreement with the DRC. There were UN peacekeepers in the countries and soldiers from the East African Community but they withdrew in 2022. Russia seems to have persuaded the DRC that it really wants to help when the international community has abandoned them. Russian mercenaries have been ac...

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