By John Ikani
The Sudanese government on Tuesday denied reports about the presence of Russian paramilitary Wagner Group in Sudan.
The denial became necessary after
a joint statement by British, American and Norwegian envoys alleged that Wagner Group personnel had been “engaged in social media disinformation campaigns and illegal gold mining in Sudan,” stressing that it was “a blatant interference in Sudan’s domestic affairs.”
But the Sudanese ministry denied the claims, saying the three envoys are trying to drag Sudan into the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Russian private security companies such as Wagner, Patriot, Sewa Security Service and RSB are known to have a presence in Africa.
Russia’s mercenaries have been accused of committing human rights abuses in the Central African Republic.
Western countries have said that the Wagner mercenaries had been deployed in Mali.
The paramilitary group has thousands of fighters in Libya, where its mercenaries have been backing renegade general, Khalifa Haftar, against forces loyal to the UN-backed government in Tripoli.
Recently, Sudan’s deputy leader, Gen Mohamed Hamdan “Hemeti” Dagalo visited Moscow.
Sudanese military leaders have maintained strong relations with Russia since long-time President Omar al-Bashir, an ally of Moscow, was toppled in April 2019 after mass protests against his rule.
In a meeting with President Vladimir Putin in the Black Sea resort of Sochi in 2017, al-Bashir sought Moscow’s protection from what he called “aggressive acts of the United States”.
