Britain voices concern over Russian negative activities in Sudan

July 11, 2022 (KHARTOUM) – Britain has voiced concern over the growing involvement of the Russian private military company, the Wagner Group in gold mining and disinformation to destabilise the democratic transition in Sudan.

UK Lords recently asked about the position of the British government towards the involvement of Russian companies in misinformation campaigns and gold mining in Sudan.

In response to the Lords’ concerns on July 11, the Minister of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park told the upper house he repeatedly made clear UK concerns over negative Russian activities in Africa including Sudan.

“Senior FCDO officials raised our concerns directly with Sudan’s military leadership in Khartoum on 3 March,” he disclosed.

The Khartoum-based diplomats of the Troika countries,  the UK, Norway and the U.S., also published an op-ed on 21 March highlighting how Russian malign influence and Wagner Group activities in Sudan spread disinformation, and undermine good governance and the rule of law, he further added.

The French government several times expressed to the Sudanese authorities concern about Wanger activities in the Central African Republic as they support the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary force led by the deputy head of the Sovereign Council.

Several reports have detailed how Russian state and non-state groups are seeking to capitalise on political instability in the East African country.

(ST)