Four individuals, including three Russians and one Belarusian, who had been held in Chad for over a month, returned to Moscow on Saturday, according to Russian media. Among the group was Maxim Shugalei, a sociologist described by Western sources as closely linked to the late Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of Russia’s Wagner Group.
Who Were the Detainees?
The group’s release was confirmed by Russia’s state news agency RIA and Kommersant, a Moscow daily. Reports indicated the group included Samir Seifan and two other unidentified individuals. Shugalei, who has been sanctioned by the European Union for alleged disinformation campaigns promoting Wagner’s activities in Africa, was among the detainees.
The Fund to Protect National Values, a Russian organization promoting cultural diplomacy abroad, also confirmed their release.
Timeline of Events
The detainees were apprehended in September at N’Djamena airport, the capital of Chad. Although Chadian authorities did not initially disclose the reasons for their detention, reports linked their arrest to a French magazine article in Jeune Afrique, which alleged Shugalei’s ties to Prigozhin and the Wagner Group.
Chad’s ambassador to Moscow, Adam Bechir, later announced that President Mahamat Idriss Déby had ordered their release. Russian authorities, including the Foreign Ministry, reportedly took “all necessary measures” to secure the group’s return.
The Wagner Connection
Wagner, a private military group, played a significant role in Russia’s involvement in Ukraine and has operated extensively in Africa. The group’s influence expanded into countries like Burkina Faso, Mali, and the Central African Republic through military and business networks.
However, after Prigozhin’s death in a plane crash in August 2023, Russia has worked to centralize Wagner’s African operations under a new initiative known as Africa Corps. Shugalei’s alleged involvement in Wagner’s activities made him a controversial figure, with past accusations of election interference in Libya in 2019.
Broader Context: Russia’s Interests in Africa
Russia’s efforts in Africa extend beyond military influence, focusing on building alliances and promoting its geopolitical agenda. The continent has become a strategic focus for Moscow, especially as it faces international isolation in the wake of its actions in Ukraine.
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