Africa Corps Takes Over Wagner's Role in Mali - but the Kremlin's Influence Persists
Wagner forces withdraw officially from Mali, yet remain present unofficially.
The infamous Russian mercenary group Wagner is reportedly leaving Mali, but not without a trace. According to diplomatic and security sources, the Africa Corps, a new Russian state-controlled paramilitary force, is taking over Wagner's activities in the West African nation.
Diplomats and security experts suggest that Wagner is officially bidding farewell to Mali, with the Africa Corps stepping up. "Wagner is essentially winding down its presence in Mali," a diplomat in the Sahel region commented. "The Africa Corps is taking the helm."
A message on a Telegram channel close to Wagner announced, "Mission accomplished. PMC Wagner is heading home," but a diplomat added a note of caution: "The Kremlin remains the puppet master." Most Russian Wagner personnel in Mali will reportedly be absorbed into the Africa Corps and will continue their operations in the provincial capitals in the north and in Bamako.
Wagner first made its mark in Mali in 2021, supporting the military junta led by General Assimi Goita, following two coups in 2020 and 2021. The junta, which broke ties with France, allied militarily and politically with Russia. France withdrew its 2,400 troops stationed in Mali in 2022. Germany, which was part of the UN mission MINUSMA, also pulled its last soldiers out of Mali at the end of 2023.
Both Wagner and Africa Corps: Servants of the Kremlin?
A source in Malian security circles confirmed, "Whether it's Wagner yesterday or Africa Corps today, our negotiating partner remains the central power in Russia, the Kremlin." Malian military officials echoed this sentiment, stating that military cooperation with Russia would continue regardless of "Wagner or not": "Russia remains our strategic partner in military cooperation."
The Africa Corps, like Wagner, serves the interests of the Kremlin. The new force has tight relations with the Russian Ministry of Defence and the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), illustrating a move toward a more overtly state-backed military presence. Despite this, doubts linger about the Africa Corps' legal and operational standing: while it is officially a state-controlled entity, its directive, funding sources, and ties with host governments remain elusive, creating strategic ambiguity.
Mali's Security Conundrum Continues
The violent methods of the paramilitary groups, either Wagner or the Africa Corps, are often condemned by human rights organizations. The UN has accused the Malian army, along with "foreign" fighters, of responsible for the deaths of at least 500 people in an operation against jihadists in March 2022. The Malian junta denied the allegations. Western countries believe these fighters were Wagner mercenaries.
Despite the change in leadership, Mali's security situation shows no signs of improvement, with the Africa Corps' effectiveness not guaranteed without broader political and strategic reforms. With Mali facing a budget crisis after the loss of Western support, the long-term sustainability of this partnership is questionable.
In conclusion, the transition from Wagner to the Africa Corps in Mali may appear cosmetic, but the Kremlin continues to wield significant influence in the region. Questions about the Africa Corps' legal and operational status remain, as does uncertainty over the long-term sustainability of the partnership and its impact on Mali's security challenges.
Sources: ntv.de, as/AFP
- Mercenary Group Wagner
- Mali
- Military Government
- War Crimes
- Russia
- Kremlin
- African Corps
Enrichment Data:- Operational Status: The Africa Corps is now the main Russian paramilitary force operating in Mali and parts of Africa, officially under the Russian Ministry of Defence/GRU, with a mandate to maintain and expand Russian influence [5].- Relationship with the Kremlin: The Kremlin openly supports the Africa Corps as a tool of state policy, marking a shift from the relative independence of Wagner to a more direct state-controlled approach [1][2].- Ambiguity and Challenges: The legal and operational status of the Africa Corps remains purposefully ambiguous, mirroring the complexity seen with Wagner. Mali’s security situation remains precarious, and the effectiveness of the Africa Corps is not guaranteed [1][4].- Future Outlook: Without broader political strategies and sustainable funding, the Africa Corps risks repeating the shortcomings of its predecessor in Mali and elsewhere [4][5].
- Despite the change in personnel from Wagner to the Africa Corps, the Kremlin's influence in Mali's employment policy, politics, and general news remains prominent, as both groups serve the interests of the Russian government.
- The ambiguous legal and operational standing of the Africa Corps, similar to Wagner, creates strategic uncertainty in the Crime and Justice sector, raising questions about its long-term sustainability and effectiveness in addressing Mali's employment policy challenges and security conundrum.
