Wagner's Prigozhin spotted in Russia during Africa summit for first time since rebellion

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the enigmatic founder of the Wagner private military company, has resurfaced in Russia after leading an armed rebellion against the Russian military. On Thursday, Prigozhin was spotted in St. Petersburg, engaging in a meeting with an African dignitary on the sidelines of the Russia Africa summit. 

The dignitary in question is a member of the Central African Republic delegation attending the summit. Wagner has maintained a presence in the Central African Republic for several years. The photograph of Prigozhin and the dignitary was geolocated by CNN to the Trezzini Palace Hotel in St. Petersburg, where Russian media states that Prigozhin keeps an office. The hotel was among the locations searched by Russian authorities on July 6 in the aftermath of the rebellion.

Before this, Prigozhin was last seen on July 19 in Belarus

Prior to this sighting, Prigozhin had been seen publicly on July 19 in a video from Belarus, seemingly greeting Wagner fighters at a base in Asipovichy. Prigozhin's rebellion posed a significant challenge to Putin's long rule. Known for his preference to operate in the shadows, Prigozhin and his fighters gained prominence following Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year, with Wagner mercenaries playing pivotal roles in different battles.

The relationship between Prigozhin and Putin goes back to the 1990s. Initially, Prigozhin rose to wealth and prominence by securing lucrative catering contracts with the Kremlin. However, in the aftermath of the 2014 Russian-backed separatist movement in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region, he seemingly transformed into a ruthless warlord. His reappearance in Russia has drawn attention, with many speculating on the implications of his actions and connections. 

A look at Wagner's role in Africa

Wagner has been involved in various African countries, often supporting regimes aligned with Russia's interests or participating in resource-related ventures. Its activities in Africa have raised concerns about destabilization, human rights abuses, and interference in local conflicts.

Central African Republic (CAR): Wagner's presence in CAR has been particularly notable. Since 2017, the PMC has been supporting President Faustin-Archange Touadéra's government in its efforts to combat armed groups and maintain control over the country. Wagner's involvement in CAR has included providing military training to government forces, strategic advisory services, and direct engagement in combat operations.

Libya: Wagner's involvement in Libya has been widely reported, with the PMC allegedly deploying fighters to support Libyan military strongman Khalifa Haftar in his offensive against the UN-recognized Government of National Accord. Reports indicate that Wagner mercenaries were instrumental in Haftar's offensive on Tripoli in 2019, leading to increased international scrutiny of the PMC's activities in the North African nation.

Sudan: In 2018, Wagner was reportedly contracted by the Sudanese government to provide security services to protect President Omar al-Bashir's regime. The PMC's presence in Sudan raised alarm as it coincided with widespread protests against Bashir's rule and the Sudanese military's crackdown on demonstrators.

Other African Countries: There have been reports and allegations of Wagner's presence or activities in other African countries, including South Sudan and Mozambique. However, details about its exact role in these countries remain more elusive due to the secretive nature of the PMC's operations.