Global Sanctions Dashboard: Sanctions alone won’t stop the Wagner Group
Atlantic CouncilJul 21, 2023
The UK Home Office has announced that the Russian private military company Wagner, known for its operations in Ukraine, the Middle East, and Africa, will be declared a terrorist organization — a move that has been considered "imminent" since May.
Britain's home secretary has the power to proscribe an organization believed to be involved in terrorism under the Terrorism Act 2000, making support for the group a criminal offense that could lead to 14 years in prison.
Designating the Wagner Group as a terrorist organization will allow the UK to bring terrorism charges against its personnel while disrupting the group's financial activity and ability to travel. Additionally, this move serves as a strong reminder to African governments that they may reconsider their relationship with the Russian mercenaries.
Wagner is the Kremlin's quasi-state agent of influence and should be treated as such. Not all entities that commit atrocities and crimes against humanity are terrorist groups, and designating them would be a dangerous slippery slope that could threaten relations with partners in Africa while also undermining the application of the terrorist label.