South African foreign correspondent Al J Venter returned from the Central African Republic six weeks ago, having had personal experience of a Russian mercenary force that has virtually taken over an African state. The international community is now familiar with the activities of the Moscow-run Wagner Group, an exploitative military force that is currently active in several African countries - among them the CAR, Mali, Burkina Faso, parts of Libya and before that, Mozambique. In the process, mines and raw resources are being taken over by force and any opposition summarily dealt with, no questions asked. This Russian force also ingratiates itself with the government, gradually supplanting law and order with military force, and killing those who stand in its way, or are even suspected of opposing its will. How much longer is the world community going to allow these inhuman rights transgressions to continue? When are African nations themselves going to make a stand? Find out more in this compelling, exclusive interview.
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18.01.23 Pt 2 - “Gatvol” is the word that best describes how we’re all feeling about loadshedding, but there might be light at the end of the dark tunnel. Gareth talks to AL J Venter, a returning guest. Al has just returned from the Central African Republic, and he shares some crazy stories involving Russians taking over in Africa.
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As world leaders and global organisations wrestle with the geopolitics and economic strategy for Covid-19, Africa is now entering its 'second wave'. Is the continent ready to deal with what’s to come, and can lessons be learned from Tanzania’s approach? In the DRC, which continues to function amid all its tribal and militant tensions bubbling close to the surface, Laurent Kabila's real killer may have been found. Brought to you by Johannesburg Business School.
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