Part 2: “It’s the worst kept secret in Sudan”.In 2019, the Dossier Centre in London, shared some leaked internal documents from the private military company, the Wagner Group. The documents showed that Wagner had identified several countries they wanted to target for future operations. What was clear is that they often targeted countries with weakened autocratic government, seeking support against an internal threat.In this episode, we navigate the illicit gold trade in Sudan and beyond by studying a complex corporate web. How these structures are used to bypass sanctions and whether the US designation of the Wagner Group as a "Transnational Criminal Organization" adds anything to the fight.Speaker(s):Julia Stanyard, senior analyst at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime and author of the paper ‘The Grey Zone: Russia’s military, mercenary and criminal engagement in Africa’.Thierry Vircoulon, Research associate at the French Institute for International Affairs in Paris, member of the GI Network of Experts and a lead author of ‘The Grey Zone: Russia’s military, mercenary and criminal engagement in Africa’.Kholood Khair - the Founder and Director of Confluence Advisory, Khartoum.Ken Opala, the Field Network Coordinator for East and Southern Africa, Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime.Mohanad&nbsp;Hashim, freelance Sudanese journalist, currently working at the BBC.Jason Blazakis, Professor and Director of the Center on Terrorism, Extremism and Counterterrorism at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies.Justin Lynch, researcher, and author of Sudan’s Unfinished Democracy.Additional Reading:<a href="https://globalinitiative.net/analysis/russia-in-africa/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">(GI Paper)The grey zone: Russia's military, mercenary and criminal engagement in Africa</a><a href="https://globalinitiative.net/analysis/russia-sanctions-illicit-gold-trade/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">(GI Paper) Going for Gold: Russia, sanctions and illicit gold trade</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufOVEKwY2sw" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">'If you desert, we'll execute you': 'Putin's chef' recruits convicts for war</a> <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64400057" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Yevgeny Prigozhin: UK reviews rules after Wagner head sued journalist</a><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-exposes-sick-russian-troll-factory-plaguing-social-media-with-kremlin-propaganda" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">UK exposes sick Russian troll factory plaguing social media with Kremlin propaganda</a><a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2019/04/25/africa/russia-sudan-minvest-plan-to-quell-protests-intl/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fake news and public executions: Documents show a Russian company’s plan for quelling protests in Sudan</a><a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2023/02/14/europe/russia-yevgeny-prigozhin-internet-research-agency-intl/index.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Wagner chief admits to founding Russian troll farm sanctioned for meddling in US elections</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoiEu7F2OWg" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ukraine capital Kyiv endures Russian onslaught - BBC News</a><a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2022/07/29/africa/sudan-russia-gold-investigation-cmd-intl/index.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Russia is plundering gold in Sudan to boost Putin’s war effort in Ukraine</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j99bKhnHATs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sudan TV broadcast taken off air after loud bangs during military clashes</a><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-65293538" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sudan fighting: RSF and army clash in Khartoum for third day</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlOSKsB8vfQ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sudan's military removes President Omar al-Bashir | Al Jazeera English</a><a href="http://government.ru/en/news/30259/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dmitry Medvedev’s meeting with President of the Republic of the Sudan Omar Al-Bashir</a><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/24/yevgeny-prigozhin-the-hotdog-seller-who-rose-to-the-top-of-putin-war-machine-wagner-group" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Yevgeny Prigozhin: the hotdog seller who rose to the top of Putin’s war machine</a><a href="https://www.occrp.org/en/investigations/the-chefs-global-footprints" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Chef’s Global Footprints, OCCRP</a><a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/sudan-defence-minister-dies-heart-attack-juba-peace-talks" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sudan defence minister dies of heart attack at Juba peace talks</a><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/29/hemedti-the-feared-commander-pulling-the-strings-in-sudan" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hemedti: the feared commander pulling the strings in Sudan</a><a href="https://www.opensanctions.org/entities/NK-QzsWnEuD6asSGbnwNqhKRq/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">OpenSanctions - Autolex Transport LTD.</a><a href="https://sudantribune.com/article255750/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hemetti, senior Russian official agree to strengthen military cooperation</a><a href="https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/statement-united-nations-security-council-situation-darfur-pursuant-unscr-1593-2005-8" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Statement to the United Nations Security Council on the Situation in Darfur, pursuant to UNSCR 1593 (2005)</a><a href="https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/afr54/008/2004/en/#:~:text=This%20report%20examines%20the%20conflict,rights%20abuses%20committed%20against%20civilians." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sudan: Darfur: “Too many people killed for no reason”</a><a href="https://www.hrw.org/report/2015/09/09/men-no-mercy/rapid-support-forces-attacks-against-civilians-darfur-sudan" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">“Men With No Mercy”: Rapid Support Forces Attacks against Civilians in Darfur, Sudan</a><a href="https://ocindex.net/country/sudan" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Organized Crime Index - Sudan</a><a href="https://www.hrw.org/report/2019/11/18/they-were-shouting-kill-them/sudans-violent-crackdown-protesters-khartoum" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">“They Were Shouting ‘Kill Them’”: Sudan’s Violent Crackdown on Protesters in Khartoum</a><a href="https://sudantribune.com/article272389/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">RSF declare firm commitment to the formation of single army in Sudan</a><a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/who-are-sudans-rapid-support-forces-2023-04-13/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Factbox: Who are Sudan's Rapid Support Forces?</a><a href="https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/sudan-s-army-declares-paramilitary-rsf-rebel-group/2872994" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sudan’s army declares paramilitary RSF ‘rebel’ group: Fighting breaks out between army, paramilitary RSF in Sudan</a><a href="https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230415-sudans-army-declares-paramilitary-rsf-rebel-group/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sudan's army declares paramilitary RSF 'rebel' group</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0vnQYpbWiP8" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SUDAN: Hemeti says troops were forced into a confrontation with the Sudanese army</a><a href="https://sudantribune.com/article272866/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sudanese army warns against military escalation after RSF deployment in Merowe</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLAR31XUo2Q" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CNN - How Russia could be stealing over $13 billion of gold a year from Sudan</a><a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/sudan-politics-merowe-idAFC6N36500F" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Exchange of gunfire heard in northern Sudanese city of Merowe - witnesses</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGqwOLxOtrk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Al Jazeera - Breaking News: Heavy gunfire heard in Sudan’s capital Khartoum</a><a href="https://www.globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/conflict-minerals/exposing-rsfs-secret-financial-network/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Global Witness - Exposing the RSF's secret financial network</a><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-48987901" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sudan crisis: The ruthless mercenaries who run the country for gold</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/screenshotssudan/videos/622192814921019/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook Watch - حميدتي الجزء الخامس</a><a href="https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/secret-financial-network-of-sudan-s-main-militia-exposed" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Radio Dabanga - Secret financial network of Sudan’s main militia exposed</a><a href="https://www.sudaninthenews.com/the-rapid-support-forces-a-comprehensive-profile/the-rapid-support-forces-a-comprehensive-profile" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Rapid Support Forces: A Comprehensive Profile</a><a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sudan-gold-exclusive-idUSKBN1Y01DQ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Reuters - Exclusive: Sudan militia leader grew rich by selling gold</a><a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/app?q=tradive" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Global Witness - Leaked Documents</a><a href="https://allafrica.com/stories/202303010071.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sudan Activists Stand Firm Against 'Toxic, Monopolistic' Mining Practices</a><a href="https://www.mining.com/heap-leach-minings-breakthrough-technology/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Heap Leach: Mining’s breakthrough technology</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8NsEf-hCNI" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">YouTube - 'Sudan 300000 ton per year Heap Leaching for gold tailing'</a><a href="https://crimsonpublishers.com/amms/pdf/AMMS.000744.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">A Case Report on Cyanidation of Gold Heap Tailings at Agbash Mine in South Darfur State (Sudan)</a><a href="https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/sudan-activists-stand-firm-against-toxic-monopolistic-mining-practices" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sudan activists stand firm against ‘toxic, monopolistic’ mining practices</a><a href="https://sudantribune.com/article272986/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">About 11 civilians killed across Sudan after SAF-RSF clashes</a><a href="https://sudantribune.com/article271475/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EU&nbsp;imposes sanctions on Sudan’s Meroe gold company</a><a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/sudan-looks-to-gold-to-boost-economy-denies-russian-smuggling-/6479240.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sudan Looks to Gold to Boost Economy, Denies Russian Smuggling&nbsp;</a><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20220124032549/https:/www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/miners-blocked-from-working-in-s-kordofan-gold-area" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Miners blocked from working in S. Kordofan gold area</a><a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/blood-and-gold-now-sudans-land-wars-have-spread-mining" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blood and gold: Now Sudan's land wars have spread to mining</a><a href="https://allafrica.com/stories/201710270368.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sudan: Minerals Ministry Signs Agreement With Miro Gold of Russia</a><a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1058" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Treasury Targets Financier’s Illicit Sanctions Evasion Activity</a><a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/sudan-darfur-central-african-republic-wagner-massacre-survivors" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Darfur village left reeling from Wagner Group's CAR massacre</a><a href="https://www.occrp.org/en/investigations/documents-reveal-wagners-golden-ties-to-sudanese-military-companies" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Documents Reveal Wagner’s Golden Ties to Sudanese Military Companies, OCCRP</a><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/14/us/politics/china-africa-us-relations.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The U.S. wants to counter China’s moves in Africa. But American officials try not to mention that.</a><a href="https://www.state.gov/digital-press-briefing-with-the-commander-of-the-u-s-africa-command-u-s-army-general-stephen-j-townsend/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Digital Press Briefing with the Commander of the U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Army General Stephen J. Townsend</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2woM4GoMv4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sudan News Agency - موتمر صحفي : دقلو والهادي ادريس بمطار الخرطوم بعد عودتهم من ولايات دافور</a><a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/sudan-central-african-republic-hemeti-boasts-thwarted-coup" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hemeti's CAR coup boast sheds light on Sudanese role in conflict next door</a><a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/sudan-paramilitary-funelling-weapons-military-vehicles-central-african-republic" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sudan paramilitary funnelling weapons into Central African Republic, UN report reveals</a><a href="https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/russia-confirms-security-companies-training-sudanese-army" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Russia confirms security companies training Sudanese army</a><a href="https://jamestown.org/the-mercenaries-behind-russian-operations-in-africa/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Mercenaries Behind Russian Operations in Africa</a><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/21/russian-mercenaries-accused-of-deadly-attacks-on-mines-on-sudan-car-border" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Russian mercenaries accused of deadly attacks on mines on Sudan-CAR border</a><a href="https://adf-magazine.com/2022/07/wagner-group-terrorizing-sudanese-gold-miners/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Wagner Group Terrorizing Sudanese Gold Miners</a><a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/russia-sudan-central-african-republic-mercenaries-kill-hundreds" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Russian mercenaries near Sudan accused of killing hundreds as African gold rush intensifies</a><a href="https://c4ads.org/commentary/2019-6-13-paper-trails/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">C4ADS - PAPER TRAILS: How a Russia-based logistics network ties together Russian mining companies and military contractors in Africa</a><a href="https://sayari.com/resources/trade-data-reveal-shipments-to-sudanese-mining-company-linked-to-russian-paramilitary-group/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Trade Data Reveal Shipments to Sudanese Mining Company Linked to Russian Paramilitary Group</a><a href="https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/08/10/murder-three-russian-journalists-should-not-go-unsolved" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Murder of Three Russian Journalists Should Not Go Unsolved: Russian and Central African Authorities Have Put Little Effort Into Finding the Perpetrators</a><a href="https://dossier.center/car-en/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Dossier Centre - Final Report on the Murder of Orkhan Dzhemal, Aleksandr Rastogruev and Kirill Radchenko in the Central African Republic</a><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-02-27/russians-probed-over-gold-in-sudan-as-west-vies-for-influence?leadSource=uverify%20wall" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Russians Probed Over Gold in Sudan as West Vies for Influence</a><a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2022/07/29/africa/sudan-russia-gold-investigation-cmd-intl/index.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CNN Investigation - Russia is plundering gold in Sudan to boost Putin’s war effort in Ukraine</a><a href="https://www.easternherald.com/2023/02/28/more-than-30-russians-questioned-in-sudan-over-gold-smuggling-case/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">More Than 30 Russians Questioned In Sudan Over Gold Smuggling Case</a><a href="https://www.theassay.com/articles/feature-story/sudan-aiming-to-be-africas-next-major-gold-mining-destination/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sudan Aiming to be Africa’s ‘Next Major Gold Mining Destination’</a><a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1220" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Treasury Sanctions Russian Proxy Wagner Group as a Transnational Criminal Organization</a><a href="https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2011/07/25/executive-order-13581-blocking-property-transnational-criminal-organizat" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Executive Order 13581--Blocking Property of Transnational Criminal Organizations</a><a href="https://ofac.treasury.gov/media/7501/download?inline" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">US Dept. of Treasury - Yamaguchi-gumi</a><a href="https://ofac.treasury.gov/media/7546/download?inline" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">US Dept. of Treasury - MS13</a><a href="https://ofac.treasury.gov/media/922086/download?inline" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">US Dept. of Treasury - The Kinahan Organized Crime Group</a><a href="https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/02/25/wagner-group-council-adds-11-individuals-and-7-entities-to-eu-sanctions-lists/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EU - Wagner Group: Council adds 11 individuals and 7 entities to EU sanctions lists</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RJ0Tk2dJMk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Al Jazeera - ‘Angry and enraged’: Sudan's former foreign minister on bombings in Khartoum</a>

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