Wagner Group Withdraws from Mali, Russia Strengthens Engagement through Africa Corps
Bamako, Mali – The Wagner mercenary group, a Kremlin-backed paramilitary force, announced its withdrawal from Mali after over three and a half years of operations aimed at combating armed groups in the country. This move, confirmed on Friday via their Telegram channel, follows claims of successfully restoring control of regional centers to the Malian military government and neutralizing rebel forces.
Despite Wagner’s exit, Russian support will persist through the newly formed Africa Corps, which has been established following Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin’s failed mutiny against the Russian military in June 2023. According to Africa Corps, Russia’s commitment to Mali is now "at a more fundamental level," suggesting a strategic shift in their involvement in the region.
Additionally, Al Jazeera’s Nicolas Haque reported that Russian security advisers will step in to fill the void left by departing mercenaries. Ulf Laessing of Germany’s Konrad Adenauer Foundation noted that while Russian military presence in Mali will continue, there may be a shift towards training and equipping Malian forces rather than direct combat against jihadist groups.
This transition comes amidst a surge of recent attacks from rebel fighters, notably the Islam jihadist group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), which reportedly resulted in over 100 Malian military casualties, including those from Wagner forces.
Furthermore, local reports indicate that the situation has led to additional violence, with Ukrainian-backed Tuareg rebels attacking Russian mercenaries, complicating the security landscape. Allegations of human rights abuses have also emerged, with civilians caught in the crossfire.
As Mali navigates this complex and shifting milieu of foreign military involvement, the implications for regional stability remain uncertain.
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