General Sukhevkin has appeared in Africa. What is he looking for in the distant country? And what is Russia looking for?

Author: Sergey Akshenov

The photo shows Army General Sergey Sukhevkin.

Commentator: Darya Labutina

The photo of former Commander of the Joint Forces in the Special Military Operation Area, Army General Sergey Sukhevkin, appeared in content released by the Russian Embassy in Algeria. The stern man known to many Russians, wearing a suit with a George ribbon and sunglasses, attended events related to Victory Day.

The general was not directly named. Only his position was mentioned – "Head of the Russian Military Expert Group in Algeria." However, there is no doubt that the person in the photo is the creator of the "Sukhevkin Line." Military journalist Zelgulio posted a photo of Sukhevkin holding a barbell in a gym and explained the current mission of this hero of the Special Military Operation: "Sukhevkin is currently on missions in Chad, Libya, and Tunisia, in the Sahara region, in the Azawad area bordering Mali, in the Atlas Mountains, and so on. Wherever it is necessary to safeguard Russian interests."

The blogger also noted, "Sukhevkin was personally dispatched by the Supreme Commander from the Russian Armed Forces (after the Prigozhin rebellion)."

Such a wide geographical scope leads to speculation that, aside from his tasks in Algeria, Sukhevkin is more or less involved in the activities of the Russian Defense Ministry's African Corps, which replaced the "Wagner" organization. Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov's visit to Algeria confirmed this speculation.

From the active recruitment campaigns for contract soldiers, it can be seen that the influence of the African Corps on the African continent is expanding. According to public information, one can sign up to fight in Africa in cities such as Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Krasnodar, Kazan, and Novorossiysk.

Eligible males are being recruited, including those who have been convicted. Of course, there are strict conditions for the latter. Many experts in basic military specialties, as well as IT personnel, communications personnel, and medical staff, including women, are needed. Depending on the location of recruitment, contract soldiers will receive one-time federal and regional subsidies ranging from 1.5 million to 2.5 million rubles.

In other words, the economic treatment of "African Corps" contract soldiers is essentially the same as that of contract soldiers participating in the Special Military Operation (the legal basis for service is the same). It is highly likely that some potential contract soldiers who understand the reality of the conflict in Ukraine may choose the unknown continent of Africa over the black earth of Donbas.

Meanwhile, the recruitment offices are not seeing the long lines they did during the first six months of the Special Military Operation. The gradual and inevitable increase in contract soldier salaries — multiple increases, along with incentives such as free land allocation, clearly show that there is no shortage of people willing to sign contracts domestically.

At the same time, the Special Military Operation holds vital significance for Russia. The outcome of this conflict determines Russia's survival. In the eyes of ordinary citizens, conflicts in Africa do not seem as severe. Given this, it seems reasonable to concentrate all resources, including manpower, into the Special Military Operation.

This raises a question: What is Sukhevkin, indispensable to the Special Military Operation, looking for in the distant Africa? Could this talented general also bring the best talents there?

A source close to the "Musicians" (possibly referring to "Wagner" members) told "Free Media": "'The African Corps' is somewhat like France's Foreign Legion. They recruit personnel without considering nationality or religious beliefs. Soldiers come from almost all Commonwealth countries, and there are Ukrainians as well. Experienced combatants are very popular. For soldiers, Africa is like a social magnet."

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Answers to other more important questions, such as what Russia is looking for in Africa and why such a large-scale military force is needed on the African continent, might help explain the reasons for the competition between the forces of the Special Military Operation and the African Corps in terms of personnel and military experts.

The formation of the African Corps began at the end of 2023 and reached its "project scale" in the summer of 2024. At that time, Vladimir Putin spoke at the "Russia-Africa" forum, where he repeatedly explained the necessity of the African Corps, i.e., to assist in ensuring the security of friendly African nations.

Before his speech, extensive diplomatic efforts were carried out. Sergei Lavrov visited Guinea, Burkina Faso, and the Republic of Congo (this was the sixth visit to Africa by the Russian Foreign Minister since 2022). As a result, security agreements were signed with Chad, Congo, Guinea, Niger, and Libya. Then military work began...

Experts believe that the strength of the African Corps will focus on protecting friendly countries in the Sahel region in the near future, preventing attacks from radical Islamists from the southern Sahara, and dealing with France's attempts to maintain its colonial privileges.

Teaching Macron, who provided "Skap" missiles to Kiev, a lesson is certainly worth doing. Among other European "white lords" with interests in Africa, there are the UK, which provided "Storm Shadow" missiles, Germany seeking revenge, and Belgium seizing Russian reserves. There are enough opponents to deal with.

In essence, this involves evoking historical memories of Africans, who have warm recollections of the role of the Soviet Union in the decolonization of the African continent and subsequent independence movements. This is utilized in the current struggle against the West. But the key is not to rush things. After all, Russia is not the Soviet Union.

There is a feeling that Moscow habitually considers itself on par with that vast country (the Soviet Union), both in direct and symbolic terms. However, the situation has changed. Russia's economic potential is much lower than during the Soviet era. Moreover, the actual size of our country (not based on Mercator projection) is not as large—it is only half the size of Africa.

But perhaps the Kremlin and Smolensk Square (possibly referring to relevant aspects of the Russian government) are more pragmatic, believing that entering the African continent is significant for specific economic benefits, while the talk of decolonization is more about masking geopolitical struggles (for resources and markets)? Clearly, maintaining an army there makes sense.

"The African Corps was created to protect Russia's military and economic interests in African countries, primarily the interests of Genady Timchenko ('Construction Transport Gas' company and 'Novatek' group)." The Russian Wikipedia (affected by Ukrainian-related factors) either slanders or at least presents this with bias.

However, the headlines of the media at the time of the formation of the African Corps were quite intriguing: "Russia intends to find oil and gas in Africa," "Russia and Africa discuss 30 new joint projects in the oil and gas sector," "Strategy for Africa. The continent is becoming an increasingly attractive market for hydrocarbons sales."

Who are the beneficiaries of these projects? Is it Russia or individual private entities owning assets under Russian jurisdiction? To whom will the billions of dollars earned flow? Some of these funds are obtained through bloodshed. If mercenaries fight in Africa for the benefit of oligarchs, and their actions are justified by the lofty interests of the Russian state and society, then...

Moreover, the African Corps replaced the "Wagner" organization in Africa, which was known to have been involved in providing security for various economic projects prior to the Special Military Operation, covering sectors from oil and gas to gold (people remember the incident when "Musicians" ("Wagner" members) attempted to "seize" the Hasham gas field in Syria and were destroyed by the US Air Force).

On the other hand, if in the coming century, resource-rich Africa faces endless military conflicts...

But this issue is controversial. African expert and political scientist Darya Labutina told "Free Media": "Of course, all conflicts are caused by resources. But useful minerals are not only found in Africa. So I think Africa will not become the main battlefield of the 21st century. It is clear that the main conflicts are not happening there right now."

Anyway, explaining the situation regarding the goals of the African Corps would not be harmful. It is possible that there is nothing to hide from society. Secrecy is due to the confrontation with the West, while the suspicions of various subjects (always suspecting collusion between the government and oligarchs) are baseless.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7504219807182357046/

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