MOSCOW (Realist English). The opening of so-called “Russian Houses” in Mali and the Central African Republic was facilitated by “a well-known African private military company”, according to Yevgeny Primakov, the head of Russia’s state agency Rossotrudnichestvo.
In an interview with the Russian business daily Vedomosti, Primakov said several members of the PMC later joined Rossotrudnichestvo as staff.
“Several very capable guys from that team — real ‘eggheads’ — came to work with us. They’re extremely competent, deeply knowledgeable, and able to deliver results with minimal resources,” Primakov said, adding that they were producing “impressive outcomes” despite the agency’s limited funding.
“Russian House” is an informal term used to describe Rossotrudnichestvo’s overseas offices, which focus on promoting the Russian language and culture abroad. According to Primakov, the agency has signed around 26 partnership agreements to establish such centres, including 14 across Africa.
Rossotrudnichestvo has expanded its presence on the continent in recent years as Russia deepens political, cultural and security ties with African states, particularly in countries where Western influence has receded. The disclosure highlights the blurred lines between Russia’s cultural diplomacy and its security footprint in parts of Africa, though Primakov did not name the private military company involved.
