Wagner Exits Mali, Replaced by Africa Corps Under Kremlin Control
Wagner has officially withdrawn from Mali, transitioning responsibilities to Africa Corps, another Russian paramilitary group under Kremlin control. This move follows years of Russian support amid rising violence from jihadist groups. The effectiveness of the newly established Africa Corps remains in question, alongside ongoing human rights concerns associated with Russian military involvement in the region.
The Russian paramilitary group, Wagner, has officially completed its withdrawal from Mali after a presence lasting three and a half years. According to diplomatic and security sources, the Wagner forces have now been succeeded by Africa Corps, another military group operating under Moscow’s direction.
A source in the Sahel region, cited by the French news agency AFP, noted, “Officially, Wagner is no longer present in Mali. But the Africa Corps is stepping up.” Meanwhile, a Telegram account affiliated with Wagner claimed victory, stating, “Mission accomplished. PMC Wagner is going home.”
In Bamako, efforts to verify the specifics of Wagner’s departure yielded no confirmation or denial from official sources. This lack of clarity is typical; the Malian junta has persistently rejected acknowledgment of Wagner on their territory, opting instead for the euphemism of “Russian instructors”.
Mali and its neighbors, Burkina Faso and Niger, have been grappling with an insurgency for over a decade now. Armed groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State have exacerbated the situation. Since a series of military coups in Mali in 2020 and 2021, the country has distanced itself from France and turned to Russia for political and military support instead.
The withdrawal of French troops, about 2,400 in number, in 2022 followed deteriorating relations with the Malian military government and rising anti-French sentiment.
In the midst of this power transition, Wagner has undergone significant changes following the death of its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in a plane crash back in August. Some speculate that this incident was linked to a brief insurrection against the Kremlin. An unnamed diplomatic source observed, “The Kremlin remains in control… Most of the Wagner personnel in Mali will be reintegrated into Africa Corps.”
It’s reported that Africa Corps will maintain similar operations to Wagner, providing support to various African governments. Observers have noted that Mali has relied heavily on Wagner’s expertise over the past three years to combat jihadist violence, which has claimed thousands of lives.
This transition raises questions about the effectiveness of Africa Corps in continuing training and support for the Malian army, particularly following recent attacks against the Malian Armed Forces (FAMA). Beverly Ochieng from the Center for Strategic and International Studies pointed out the pressing need for ongoing support as “Africa Corps will need to continue training and support, especially after the recent wave of attacks.”
The brutal reputation of Wagner has raised alarm among human rights organizations, with accusations of war crimes surfacing regularly. A UN report alleged that during an anti-jihadist operation in March 2022 in Moura, up to 500 individuals were executed, a claim denied by the junta.
Further scrutiny was cast upon the actions of Wagner forces last April, when numerous bodies were discovered nearby a military camp following arrests of civilians – mostly from the Fulani community. Human Rights Watch has also pointed fingers at the combined forces of the Malian army and Wagner for deliberately killing civilians throughout the past year.
As Wagner exits Mali, the Malian military has described a “resurgence” of jihadist attacks, including deadly assaults that led to the abandonment of a key military position. This situation continues to unfold, raising significant concerns for the stability of the region.
In conclusion, Wagner’s withdrawal from Mali marks a significant shift in the military landscape of the Sahel region as Africa Corps takes the lead. The ongoing conflict against an insurgency poses challenges for the Malian army, and the effectiveness of the transitioning paramilitary support remains uncertain. Human rights concerns surrounding the actions of Wagner and its successor will likely continue to attract scrutiny, shaping how the situation develops going forward.
Original Source: www.inkl.com
