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Photo: Twitter @juliastanyard
A shadowy Russian private military company has been increasingly making its presence felt in Africa.
The Wagner Group, often dubbed Putin's private army, has been involved in conflicts in Libya, Sudan, and the Central African Republic. They stand accused of committing human rights abuses and supporting authoritarian regimes.
This is in addition to the company having an estimated 50,000 troops fighting on the Russian side in Ukraine.
Julia Stanyard, a senior analyst with the non-government organisation Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime has co-authored a report shedding light on the group.
Members of Wagner Group stand outside new its new headquarters in St Petersburg in military camouflage, on November 4, 2022. Photo: AFP/ Olga Maltseva