Prigozhin may have stepped back from the brink, but the events of the past 24 hours will fundamentally change his relationship with the Russian president.

Prigozhin, once known as "Putin's chef" for his work in the restaurant business, and his Wagner mercenary company have played a key, albeit secretive, role in Russia's foreign policy for many years.

Utilizing Wagner to intervene militarily in matters that Putin can't or won't deal with openly.

With support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, for example, and online attempts to interfere in the 2016 U.S. election, Wagner has played an increasingly important role in some of the world's most chaotic places.

But the place with the largest mercenary footprint is Africa.

In Mali, for example, the coups of 2020 and 2021 saw the establishment of a military regime, with Wagner heavily involved in fighting the long-standing Islamist insurgency. Although it is believed that they were there at the behest of the Russian government, it was Wagner who was actually on the ground.

In the Central African Republic, where they are said to be helping the government, fending off rebels and defending the capital, Wagner has been accused of human rights violations.

Given that Wagner now seems likely to be ostracized by the Kremlin, what will happen to their soldiers in Africa and the governments they support?

In addition to this, Wagner controls a large amount of mineral resources and is the source of much of the organization's wealth.

Now that Prigozhin has fallen out of favor in this way, will he be able to maintain control over these resources? [Read More]