In a strategic shift reflecting Russia’s evolving influence in West Africa, the Wagner Group, a notorious private military company, has withdrawn its forces from Mali, handing over operations to the newly formed Africa Corps, a state-backed Russian military unit.
The transition, completed by mid-2025, follows Mali’s junta-led government’s reliance on Russian support to combat jihadist insurgencies in the Sahel, where groups linked to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State have wreaked havoc. The move signals Moscow’s intent to formalize its military presence in Africa, replacing Wagner’s controversial mercenaries with a more structured force under direct Kremlin control, amid growing Western concerns about Russia’s expanding footprint.
Wagner, deployed in Mali since 2021, provided security for the junta and protected key mining sites, earning Russia access to gold and other resources. However, its operations drew global criticism for alleged human rights abuses, including civilian killings in Moura in 2022. The Africa Corps, comprising 2,000 personnel, inherits Wagner’s bases in Bamako and northern regions, continuing counterterrorism missions alongside Malian forces.
Mali’s military leader, Colonel Assimi Goïta, praised the transition, asserting it strengthens sovereignty against Western interference, particularly from France, which withdrew troops in 2022. The Corps, equipped with advanced drones and artillery, aims to stabilize areas like Gao and Timbuktu, though challenges persist due to jihadist resilience and local distrust. The shift has strained Mali’s ties with the UN, which reduced its MINUSMA peacekeeping mission, and sparked fears of increased Russian influence over Mali’s $2 billion mining sector. Regional neighbors, wary of spillover violence, monitor the transition closely, as the Sahel grapples with ongoing instability.