They could be part of neo-colonialism, if Russia was actively dominating and exploiting these countries financially in a manner that goes beyond trade. However, I have not seen any evidence of that, just the presence of mercenaries. Western millitaries and mercenaries are not neocolonialism itself, but the means by which neocolonialism is maintained when IMF loans and other financial tools are not sufficient.
Colonialism is a predatory, extractive economic relation. The presence of a mercenary company alone doesn’t tell us what purpose they serve. Many of their clients are the same African states that have recently overthrown their neocolonial rulers in Europe, and have understandable reservations about doing business with western mercenaries at such a sensitive time.
You don’t consider the GRU/Africa Corps to be neo-colonialism at the least?
They could be part of neo-colonialism, if Russia was actively dominating and exploiting these countries financially in a manner that goes beyond trade. However, I have not seen any evidence of that, just the presence of mercenaries. Western millitaries and mercenaries are not neocolonialism itself, but the means by which neocolonialism is maintained when IMF loans and other financial tools are not sufficient.
Colonialism is a predatory, extractive economic relation. The presence of a mercenary company alone doesn’t tell us what purpose they serve. Many of their clients are the same African states that have recently overthrown their neocolonial rulers in Europe, and have understandable reservations about doing business with western mercenaries at such a sensitive time.