In a show of strategic complexity that left the world's brightest political analysts blindsided, Russia has once again reminded us of the intricate game its leader, Vladimir Putin, continues to play. The most recent pawn in this geopolitical chessboard is none other than Yevgeny Prigozhin, the notorious founder of the Wagner paramilitary group. Despite his pledge to withdraw from Russian affairs and go into exile in Belarus, Prigozhin emerged in the public eye at the Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg, confounding observers and raising questions about the true nature of Putin's intricate web of strategies.

Prigozhin's appearance, far from being a silent sideline spectator, involved networking with world dignitaries, including Freddy Mapouka, the chief of protocol for Central African Republic's President Faustin-Archange Touadéra. This interaction, captured and subsequently shared on Facebook by Dmitry Syty, a key figure in Wagner's operations in the Central African Republic (CAR), underscores the ambiguity surrounding Prigozhin's supposed exile.

The photo, reportedly taken in a St. Petersburg hotel owned by Prigozhin's family, adds a layer of intrigue to the scenario, as do the assertions from media outlets within Prigozhin's sphere that he met with officials from Mali and Niger during the summit. This not-so-subtle presence at a significant international event leads to one unavoidable question - what game are Putin and Prigozhin truly playing?

While Prigozhin had agreed to a self-imposed exile in Belarus following a failed coup attempt, his subsequent appearances in Russia, including meetings with Putin himself, blur the lines between exile and active engagement in Russian politics. This ambivalence extends to the future of Wagner's operations in regions like CAR and Mali, where the group has been instrumental in supporting governments friendly to Moscow.

Wagner, initially a covert arm of Russia’s military intelligence, has emerged as a critical tool for the Kremlin's power projection in Africa. The organization has not only deployed mercenaries to volatile regions but also provided political advisors to numerous countries. Particularly in CAR, Wagner's interventions have played a decisive role in preserving President Touadéra's reign, leading to speculation about his possible role as a “hostage” of the Wagner group.

Prigozhin's audacious presence at the Russia-Africa summit, seemingly defying his agreement to retreat to Belarus, unveils yet another layer of Putin's convoluted geopolitical strategy. The question remains - what intricate maneuvers are Putin and Prigozhin executing in this high-stakes global game, and what will be their next surprising move? The world watches and waits as the Russian strategy continues to unfold in Africa and beyond.