Mali: Russian paramilitary group Wagner announces the end of its mission

The Russian paramilitary group Wagner has officially announced its withdrawal from Mali, marking the end of a controversial presence of nearly three years alongside the Malian armed forces.

It was through a short video shared on Telegram that the mercenaries declared their mission was now “accomplished.”

Arriving at the end of 2021 amid tensions with Mali’s Western partners, Wagner’s men were tasked with assisting the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) in their fight against jihadist and rebel groups. In their departure message, they claim to have restored control of the regional capitals in favor of the Malian state and boast several achievements:

“Thousands of terrorists and their leaders eliminated,”
“a strengthened national army,”
“a protected population,”
reads the statement published by the group. This withdrawal does not imply a break in the Russo-Malian security alliance. Rather, it is part of a strategic transition to a new entity: Africa Corps, a paramilitary force more closely controlled by the Russian Ministry of Defense and military intelligence (GRU). This structure is gradually replacing the Wagner elements in several countries on the African continent.

Despite Wagner’s departure, military cooperation between Bamako and Moscow is expected to continue, within the framework of a security partnership strengthened by the Malian authorities since their break with the former French ally.