The emerging policy is that Russian-friendly states that contract Wagner’s “Democratic Security” services will be targeted with accusations of secretly helping that group evade sanctions as well as committing war crimes with them against their own people.
"Having exposed their machinations, it’ll now be comparatively easier to thwart them..."
I agree. I've found your explanation here most illuminating, as I'm sure many Africans also will.
"which would thus make the West’s policy counterproductive."
Absoexpletivelutely!