25.4 C
Monrovia
Saturday, February 15, 2025

Liberia: Russian Mercenaries Settled on Lake Piso

Must read

By Festus Poquie

Russian mercenary group Wagner appears to be present in Liberia making bold moves to establish a foothold along the Atlantic coast of West Africa.

According to a recent article in the Washington Examiner, the group has set its sights on Liberia and neighboring countries as part of its ambitions to expand Russian influence in the region.

The article, written by former Pentagon official Michael Rubin, reveals that under the guise of building a resort on Liberia’s Lake Piso, Wagner has in fact moved into the country and is working to establish a deep-water port capable of accommodating Russian warships.

This strategic positioning would give Russia a critical access point to the Atlantic Ocean, posing a potential threat to Western interests in the region.

The report also indicates that Wagner is leveraging local connections to advance its agenda, with a Liberian businessman named Melee Kermue acting as Russia’s honorary consul and using his relationship with former Vice President Jewel Taylor to further Russian interests in Liberia.

Liberian authorities in charge of national security could not immediately comment on the matter when contacted.

Beyond Liberia, Wagner appears to have its sights set on expanding into Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast as well. Russia has already opened an embassy in Sierra Leone and is offering more scholarships for Sierra Leonean students to study abroad, while the Russian energy corporation Lukoil has secured a concession just off the coast.

This troubling development comes at a time when the Biden administration has been criticized for a perceived lack of focus on countering Russian and Chinese influence in Africa.

The article suggests that the U.S. is more concerned with ensuring that American activists, some of whom have been disqualified in Liberia due to their involvement in pay-for-testimony and fraud, can dominate the country’s War and Economic Crimes Court and the funding supporting it.

As the Wagner Group solidifies its presence in West Africa, the article calls on the Biden administration to take decisive action to counter this threat to U.S. strategic interests in the region.

Latest article