African intrigue: why the Chadian authorities detained and released Russian propagandist Shugaley
Kyiv • UNN
Chadian authorities have released a group of Russians and a Belarusian, including propagandist Maxim Shugaley, who is associated with the Wagner PMC. They were detained in September 2024 during the country's presidential election.
Chad has released several Russians and a Belarusian who have been held in a pre-trial detention center in the capital N'djamena since September 2024. Now they have returned to Russia. one of the key figures among the group of detainees is Maxim Shugaley, who is associated with the Wagner PMC.
This is reported by the BBC, reports UNN.
Details
Chadian intelligence agencies became interested in Shugalei's activities after visiting the campaign headquarters of presidential candidate Mahamat Debi, who later won the election. The French publication Jeune Afrique notes that Shugalei and his colleagues could influence the electoral process in the country, which potentially created a threat to internal security.
Who is Maxim Shugaley?
Maxim Shugaley is a propagandist who has worked for Russia's interests in Africa for years. He is called one of the key figures in the Kremlin's information expansion on the continent. Since 2023, he has been under sanctions by the EU and Ukraine for spreading disinformation and supporting regimes loyal to the Russian Federation.
Shugaley worked for the foundation for the protection of national values, which promoted the interests of the Wagner group. His tasks included interfering in electoral processes, organizing disinformation campaigns, and supporting regimes that oppose Western influence.
In 2019, he was already involved in a scandal due to an arrest in Libya,before he was accused of espionage and political manipulation.
Reasons for arrest in Chad
Chad did not officially name the reasons for the detention of Shugalei and his colleagues. However, analysts believe that they could pose a threat to the stability of the country.
Shugalei and Suifan met with the team of Mahamat Dabi, the son of former dictator address Debi, on the eve of the election. After the victory of Debi Jr., the main opponent was killed by government forces, which drew attention to the participation of Russians in the country's political process.
US intelligence agencies have previously claimed that the Wagner PMC conspired to eliminate Debi. Although the plan failed, the link between the wagnerists and attempts to destabilize the region is still worrisome.
What is known about the other detainees?
Samer Swayfan has been called a "sociologist" by the media, although his true role remains unknown. Evgeny Tsarev probably has ties to the Russian Chamber of Commerce and industry and has spoken at forums dedicated to investment in Africa. Belarusian Andrey Denisevich is assumed to have acted in the interests of Minsk, lobbying for business interests close to Alexander Lukashenko.
Why were they released?
Analysts suggest that the release of the detainees is part of Chad's political maneuver aimed at balancing Russia and the West. Despite the Kremlin's growing influence in the region, the country maintains strategic relations with France, which has a military presence in Chad.
Mali's ruling junta appoints general as new prime ministerNov 21 2024, 04:24 PM • 21412 views
Russia has been saying since May that Western influence in Chad is weakening.At the same time, Shugaley's arrest and release indicate an aggravation of the struggle for influence in the region. But there is no real evidence of a Russian military presence in the country.
Russian propaganda machine in Africa
Shugaley's activities, which include manipulating public opinion, are part of Moscow's strategy to strengthen its influence on the continent.
The dismissal from Chad is unlikely to stop this work, rather it highlights that the struggle for Africa continues. Russia seeks full dominance over the Sahel region of West Africa and already has close ties with Chad's two neighbors, Niger and the Central African Republic (car), the country where Russia's influence on the continent is strongest.
