Prigozhin likely killed over control of Wagner’s Africa business — Bellingcat
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Wagner Group’s owner Yevgeny
Prigozhin was likely killed due to a conflict with the Main Directorate of Russia’s
General Staff (GRU) over influence in Africa, Bellingcat investigative
journalist Christo Grozev said on Aug. 24.
In a YouTube interview with Alexandr Plushev, the journalist pointed out he expected Prigozhin's assassination to come later — perhaps in late fall. However, it likely happened now due to a "scramble for Africa" with the GRU.
"Prigozhin did not renounce his aspirations to oversee key African markets; he personally went there in an attempt to preserve his influence and continue his competition with the GRU for African territories rich in diamonds, gold, and the like," said Grozev.
He also elaborated on how Russian dictator Vladimir Putin recently introduced his team to African leaders. Second or third by Putin's side was Andrey Averyanov. Putin introduced him as "the man who will be responsible for security on your continent."
According to Grozev, Averyanov was representing the GRU for decades, responsible for "eliminating competitors, dissenters and traitors."
Both the Financial Times and the Wall Street Journal also reported that before his presumed death, Prigozhin was trying to save his African operations from the GRU.
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