Russia Has Interest in Keeping South Africa’s ANC in Power, Analysts Say

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the private mercenary Wagner Group, makes a statement on the start of withdrawal of his forces from Bakhmut, Ukraine, and handing the positions to regular Russian troops, on May 25, 2023. Press service of "Concord"/Handout via Reuters

Global intelligence analysts, political risk consultants, and members of security establishments are warning about the “probability” of Russia interfering in South Africa’s election next year.

“The goal of the interference would be to ensure that a pro-Russian government is elected in one of the world’s most resource-rich nations, and that means the Kremlin-funded Internet Research Agency (IRA) could be used to influence voting in South Africa,” said Brendan von Essen, a Johannesburg-based international relations expert and political and security risk analyst.