Russian assistance

In Sudan, Wagner’s shadow looms behind General Hemeti

By Mathieu Olivier, Benjamin Roger

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Posted on April 20, 2023 09:58

© Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemetti), during Sergei Lavrov’s visit to Khartoum on 9 February 2023. Russian Foreign Ministry Press S/SIPA — Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemetti), during Sergei Lavrov’s visit to Khartoum on 9 February 2023. Russian Foreign Ministry Press S/SIPA

Engaged in a conflict with Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, is seeking material support from the Russian paramilitary group Wagner. His search may have fallen on sympathetic ears – those of Yevgeny Prigozhin, who tells us that he denies any involvement of Wagner soldiers.

In an attempt to gain the upper hand over Sudan’s de facto leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemeti, has renewed ties with an old Russian acquaintance – Yevgeny Prigozhin.

According to a source close to the French intelligence services, leaders of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Russian private mercenary company Wagner have been in regular contact since the outbreak of hostilities in Khartoum on 15 April.

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