So, Russya dissolves one mercenary unit and forms a replacement. The notorious Wagner Group was shut down after its leaders revolted against the Rus army generals who asked them top come to Ukraine to help out. After the Kremlin assassinated the entire command of the Wagner Group in a targeted bombing of their aircraft, the Kremlin reconstituted the group and renamed it AFRIKA KORPS. Same people, new name. But this group will not have Putin's Chef as leader. A new lackie of Putin will run the show as thye Kremlin seeks sway in the sub-Saharan areas of Africa.
Of course, the goal is to reap profits in Africa by extraction of minerals. Namely, diamonds and gold. Some years ago, Botswana partnered with De Beers, the diamond king, to forma mining company to mine alluvial deposits in the country. Other areas were also located that could be exploited. The Central African republic is one of those. That country has deposits of both. The government partnered with the Rus/Afrika Korps to provide security not only for the government , but also miners working in the mines. The new problem: the price of natural diamonds has plummeted, surpassed by the production of lab grown diamonds. All diamond dealers/cutters/ miners have been affected. De Beers have cut back mining in South Africa. Inventories in Europe and America are stagnating in safes, waiting for customers who no longer are interested. Marketing of "natural" diamonds has not made much of an impression. Meanwhile, the lab grown diamond trade has grown larger by the day. Improved production methods have lowered already low prices.
In modern parlance-a disruption has occurred dramatically altering a traditional business, never to return. Yes, prices may stabilize in some way, but the strangle hold of the former monopolists is over. Hail the disruption.
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