Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 9
9
Accepted
Paragraph: 40
Focusing solely on Europe for Wagner Network activities is a significant failing.
Conclusion
However, it is a significant failing to see the Wagner Network primarily through the prism of Europe, not least given its geographic spread, the impact of its activities on UK interests further abroad, and the fact that its wealth creation sits largely in Africa.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government partially agrees with the conclusion, explaining its new four-strand approach to countering state threats outlined in the Integrated Review Refresh, which takes a 'whole of government view' and uses a full range of powers to tackle organizations like Wagner, including efforts to deepen understanding, foster cooperation, and contest malign operations of PMSCs globally.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
40
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government · verbatim extract
Accepted
The Government will pay close attention to the repercussions of these events in the coming months, including how they play out across Wagner’s dispersed network in Africa. On 20 July, the UK designated 13 individuals and businesses involved with the Wagner Group in Mali, Central African Republic (CAR) and Sudan. In some highly insecure countries, Wagner offers protection services to the government and fights alongside local soldiers on offensive operations. The cost often involves giving Wagner access to natural resources, which they often exploit in a predatory manner. In addition, Wagner Group also utilises illicit wealth networks, particularly connected to its operations in Sudan and the Central African Republic, moving gold and precious stones to third countries to be ‘washed’. The UK has long been a leader in international efforts to tackle illicit finance, and we are using established co-operation mechanisms to discuss what more we can do to counter it.
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