Russia recruits Muslim tatars to bolster African operations
Russia intensifies the recruitment of Muslim Tatars into its African Corps, formerly known as the Wagner Group. The Kremlin believes that their religious background will facilitate cooperation with Muslim armies in Africa.
Recruitment of Tatars into the African Corps
Russia has started recruiting Muslim Tatars into its mercenary formation, now known as the African Corps. The Kremlin believes that the Tatars' faith will enhance cooperation with Muslim armies in the Sahel countries.
The recruited mercenaries are to be sent to countries such as the Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, where Muslims are the majority. In Mali, over 90% of the population is Muslim, in Niger almost 100%, and in Burkina Faso above 60%.
Financial conditions and requirements
According to the portal IdealReal, the Russian Ministry of Defence offers a one-time payment of about 400,000 rubles (£3,600) for signing the contract, and the Tatarstan authorities add approximately 2,1 million rubles (£19,300). Monthly remuneration in Africa is around 240,000 rubles (£2,200), with an additional one-time payment for each minor child and the possibility of a preferential mortgage loan.
Recruitment criteria
The Tatar-Inform portal published an article describing the requirements for candidates to become mercenaries. They must be physically fit, have no criminal record, and the age range for rank and file is 18-45 years, and for officers up to 55 years.
Recruitment is not limited to Tatarstan. Russia is also seeking applicants in Moscow, St Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, and other cities. In Moscow, payments offered are about 1,9 million rubles (£17,400), similar to those in St Petersburg.
Presence in Africa
Russian mercenaries mainly operate in countries ruled by military juntas, such as Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Libya, and Sudan. The existing presence of the Wagner Group and its successor has strengthened undemocratic regimes but has not improved security in the region, which struggles with fighters from Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.
