The ongoing conflicts in Africa have created a demand for foreign mercenaries, particularly the Russian-trained Wagner group, which has integrated with a significant portion of African military forces. Since 2017, the Wagner Group has offered military support, security, and protection to several African governments in exchange for access to natural resources, including gold and diamond mines.

The Wagner Group, founded by Russian businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin, first gained prominence in 2014 during Russia's annexation of Crimea. According to John F. Clark, Professor of Politics and International Relations at Florida International University, the group's motive is profit, with agreements for exclusive access to gold, diamonds, and uranium resources in several places where it operates.

However, the group's operations have been marred by human rights abuses, with Human Rights Watch accusing it of unlawful killings and summary executions in Mali and other countries. The European Union has imposed sanctions on the group as a result. The recent killings of citizens in Mali by Wagner mercenaries and their role in several coup plots have raised concerns about their disregard for human rights norms during operations.

The African Union's Peace and Security Council (PSC) has repeatedly discussed the threat posed by the Wagner Group, underlining the need to reinforce the 1977 Organisation of African Unity (OAU) Convention for the Elimination of Mercenaries in Africa. However, the Institute of Peace and Security Studies (IPSSAfrica) notes that the continent lacks a continental structure that provides oversight and helps to control mercenaries, making it challenging to monitor and regulate their activities.

A report from the Armed Conflicts Location and Events Data (ACLED) shows that the Wagner Group has been active in 7 African countries, including Sudan, Mali, Libya, Central African Republic, Mozambique, Burkina Faso, and Madagascar. The group's expansion into these countries has sparked concerns over the potential for further human rights abuses and the threat to regional security.

The African Union's inability to effectively regulate the activities of mercenaries like the Wagner Group has raised questions about the effectiveness of the OAU Convention and the need for stronger measures to prevent the proliferation of mercenaries on the continent. As the Wagner Group continues to expand its operations in Africa, it remains to be seen how the African Union and individual governments will respond to the challenges posed by these private military companies.

In the meantime, the presence of the Wagner Group in Africa has significant implications for regional security, human rights, and the natural resources sector. As the situation continues to unfold, it is essential to monitor the activities of these private military companies and their impact on the continent.