The United States has sanctioned one Russia-based entity and one Central African Republic-based entity for their efforts in advancing “malign activities” of the Kremlin-backed Wagner Group in Africa.
A statement by the US State Department said the targets being designated — Bois Rouge and Broker Expert — “have played an important role in supporting the Russian Federation by seeking monetary gain from illicit resource extraction and providing logistical support to elements of the Wagner Group’s commercial endeavors associated with the enterprise of Yevgeniy Prigozhin, the former Wagner Group owner who died in August 2023 in a plane explosion in Russia.
It said Friday’s action reflects the United States’ commitment to disrupting the Wagner Group’s damaging and destabilising presence in Africa. “We will continue to use the tools at our disposal to disrupt Putin’s ability to arm and equip his war machine.”
“Russia has sought to leverage these Wagner-affiliated companies in its efforts both to secure additional revenue from abroad and to advance its interests in Africa, often at the expense of the host countries, their institutions, and their citizens,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. “The United States remains focused on disrupting the networks that enable Russia’s illicit and destabilizing activities in Africa.”
