Recommendation 5

HM Government Accepted

Partially agree. 23. In some highly insecure countries, Wagner offers protection services to the government and fights alongside local soldiers on offensive operations. Unlike respectable security providers, Wagner frequently ignores its obligations in areas like accountability, protection of civilians, and adherence to International Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law. The cost often involves giving Wagner access to natural resources, which they often exploit in a predatory manner. 24. Western, including UK, security assistance is not like for like. Our aims are to promote stability and human security. Accountability and respect for the rule of law is central to our offer. The UK seeks to provide long term diplomatic, defence and development support to our partners. We seek sustainable outcomes in a manner which is compliant with international human rights law and not exploitative of our African partners. This requires a holistic approach to the multiple issues affecting the Sahel and elsewhere in Sub-Saharan Africa, rather than responding to Wagner or other Russian proxy PMSCs in isolation. Wagner Group feeds off wider instability, poverty and weak governance; by developing a more holistic approach, we work in partnership to address some of those underlying factors. 25. The Government’s Africa Strategy focuses our efforts around a set of top-level objectives, including building defence and security partnerships. We aim to deepen relationships with African countries, listening to their individual ambitions, and tailoring our offer for each country. We differentiate our engagement across the continent. That means a greater focus on states such as Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia and Ghana. 26. We draw on a range of available levers to strengthen security and stability in countries at possible risk of Wagner Group in Sub-Saharan Africa. We support our African partners and regional security through strategic security and defence relationships with countries such as with Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya, supporting them to address the drivers of conflict and instability, and coordinating closely with likeminded states and international organisations. In addition, we also work with other partners to provide support through humanitarian, development and stabilisation programmes, and significant contributions to multilateral and African-led peacekeeping and conflict prevention. In financial year 2022/23, for example, the Conflict, Stability & Security Fund Africa spent £63.7m in ODA and non-ODA, with a focus on addressing violent extremism, stabilisation and peace support training. OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE