Thank you very much, Chair.
I want to start by thanking the chair and committee members for giving me this opportunity to testify today. The views I will be presenting today are solely my own and do not represent any organization that I am affiliated with.
In mapping out Canada's strategic approach to Africa, in my personal opinion, it's imperative to take into consideration a core security variable. This variable is the rising influence of mercenaries or armed proxies that are aligned with external interests, such as the Russian Wagner Group.
While Canada's engagement in Africa is rooted in shared objectives and is very importantly informed by homegrown solutions, several key initiatives in the area, particularly if we look at west Africa and the Sahel region, are facing a significant challenge from mercenaries and quasi-PMCs, or private military companies. For example, a substantial portion of Canadian investment in Africa is concentrated in the mining sector. This has notably become a focal point for mercenaries, especially the Wagner Group, which are able to exploit local natural resources in exchange for the protection of the local regime.
If we move to the economy and security, another issue definitely arises from the fact that the role of mercenaries is progressively sidelining very important programs, like those for women, peace and security. These mercenaries are providing training to local militia, disregarding not only women, peace and security principles, but also fundamental human rights.
The meaningful decision to include women in peacekeeping efforts is pivotal, especially in Africa, where setbacks in this regard are jeopardizing the prospect for peace. Therefore, Canada's commitment to promote gender equality and women's empowerment as a pillar of international assistance programs in Africa is now under threat.
Another issue, which is also a security issue, relates to the fact that Africa's security landscape is evolving extremely quickly, and there is a rise in the menace of terrorism and military coups. Therefore, Canada's role in local institutions and regional institutions, like the African Union and the United Nations body dedicated to peacebuilding and peacekeeping, needs to take into consideration the fact that actions taken by quasi-PMCs like the Wagner Group aim to undermine western-led counterterrorism efforts, which Canada has actively supported.
Mercenaries have been a fixture in Africa since the second half of the 20th century, and they are used to protect incumbent leaders or install new ones in conflict zones. Their offerings that we were used to—guns for hire—which remained unchanged for decades, are changing right now. They have recently evolved with new roles that include technical advisers for sophisticated weapons systems, propaganda, disinformation outfits and the usual frontline combatants. In this regard, Africa is a very fertile environment for mercenaries. There is a prevalence of low-intensity conflict, meaning the region reduces the risks to the lives of mercenaries.
The continent has abundant natural resources and presents opportunities for exploitation. Also, there is a pervasive instability across many African nations that enables mercenaries to operate with, let's say, relative impunity, amplifying their appeal to state and non-state actors, which can engage and hire them. This is thanks to plausible deniability.
Allow me to conclude by stressing that mercenaries, when they align their interests with local military junta, infiltrate every facet of society. They drain resources from crucial projects, like projects aimed at combatting poverty, at food security and at migration, and especially the ones related to gender inequality and even climate change. These all suffer as a result of mercenaries' activities.
I think my time is spot on. Thank you for your attention. I'm looking forward to your questions.