A recent report has levelled accusations against Russia, asserting that it has laundered approximately $2.5 billion (£2 billion) from what the report terms “African Blood Gold” since the commencement of the war in Ukraine.
The 60-page “Blood Gold” report contends that mercenaries affiliated with the Wagner group played a pivotal role in generating over $100 million a month in revenue for the Kremlin through illicit gold trading activities in the Central African Republic (CAR), Sudan, and Mali.
The research team behind the report, led by African-European relations expert Jessica Berlin, details that the military junta in Mali, heavily dependent on mining companies for the majority of its revenue, compensates Wagner mercenaries in cash.
In the Central African Republic and Sudan, the Kremlin allegedly utilises intricate smuggling routes to transport substantial quantities of gold from Africa to Russia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Once in these destinations, the gold is purportedly mixed with legitimate sources and subsequently converted into cash. The report sheds light on the clandestine mechanisms employed by Russia to exploit African gold resources.
As of now, Russia has not provided any official response to the allegations outlined in the report. The accusations add another layer of complexity to the geopolitical landscape, raising concerns about the exploitation of African resources amid ongoing global conflicts.
