African intrigue: why Chadian authorities detained and released Russian propagandist Shugaley

The Chadian authorities released a group of Russians and Belarusians, including the propagandist Maxim Shugaley, associated with the “Wagner” PMC. They were detained in September 2024 during the presidential elections in the country.

Chad released several Russians and Belarusians who had been in the detention center of the capital N'Djamena since September 2024. Now they have returned to Russia.  One of the key figures among the group of detainees is Maxim Shugaley, who is associated with the “Wagner” PMC.

BBC writes about it. 

Details

The Chadian special services became interested in the activities of Shugaley after visits to the campaign headquarters of the presidential candidate Mahamat Deby, who later won the elections. The French publication Jeune Afrique  notes that Shugalei and his colleagues could influence the electoral process in the country, which potentially posed a threat to internal security.

Who is Maxim Shugaley?

Maxim Shugaley – a propagandist who has worked for Russia's interests in Africa for years. He is called one of the key figures in the Kremlin's information expansion on the continent. Since 2023, he has been under sanctions by the EU and Ukraine for spreading disinformation and supporting regimes loyal to the Russian Federation.

Shugaley worked for the “Protection of National Values” fund, which promoted the interests of the Wagner group. His tasks included interfering in electoral processes, organizing disinformation campaigns, and supporting regimes resisting Western influence.

In 2019, he was already embroiled in a scandal due to his arrest in Libya, where he was accused of espionage and political manipulation.

Reasons for the arrest in Chad

Chad has not officially given any reason for the detention of Shugaley and his colleagues. However, analysts believe that they could pose a threat to the stability of the country.

Shugaley and Soueifan met with the team of Mahamat Deby, the son of former dictator Idriss Deby, on the eve of the elections. After Deby Jr.'s victory, his main opponent was killed by government troops, which drew attention to the involvement of the Russians in the country's political process.

American intelligence agencies have previously stated that the Wagner PMC is plotting to eliminate Deby. Although the plan failed, the connection between the Wagner group and attempts to destabilize the region is still worrisome.

What is known about the other detainees?

Other detainees include Samer Sueifan, Yevgeny Tsarev, and Belarusian Andriy Denisevich. 

Samer Sueifan was described by the media as a “sociologist”, although his real role remains unknown. Evgeny Tsarev is believed to have ties to the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and has spoken at forums dedicated to investment in Africa. Belarusian Andriy Denisevich is believed to have acted in the interests of Minsk, lobbying for business interests close to Alexander Lukashenko.

Why were they released?  

Analysts suggest that the release of the detainees is part of a political maneuver by Chad aimed at balancing between Russia and the West. Despite the Kremlin's growing influence in the region, the country maintains strategic relations with France, which has a military presence in Chad.

Russia has been saying since May that Western influence in Chad is weakening. At the same time, the arrest and release of Shugaley indicate an intensification of the struggle for influence in the region. But there is no real evidence of a Russian military presence in the country.

Russian propaganda machine in Africa

Shugaley's activities, which include the manipulation of public opinion, are part of Moscow's strategy to strengthen its influence on the continent.

Release from Chad is unlikely to stop this work; rather, it underlines that the struggle for Africa continues. Russia seeks complete dominance over the Sahel region of West Africa and already has close ties with Chad's two neighbors – Niger and the Central African Republic (CAR), the country where Russia's influence on the continent is strongest.