by Temitope Oladeji
08/6/2025
The Russian paramilitary group Wagner has officially ended and withdrawn from Mali, with its operations now being taken over by the Kremlin-backed Africa Corps, diplomatic and security sources told AFP on Sunday.
“Officially, Wagner is no longer present in Mali. But the Africa Corps is stepping up,” said a diplomatic source based in the Sahel region.
A Telegram channel associated with Wagner confirmed the development, stating, “Mission accomplished. PMC Wagner is going home.”
Mali’s junta, having seized power through coups in 2020 and 2021, has steadily distanced itself from France, the country’s former colonial ruler, and turned to Russia for military and political support.
Wagner, long seen as Russia’s most prominent private military company, was disbanded and reorganized after its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, died in a tragic plane crash in August 2023, shortly after leading a brief rebellion against the Russian president, Vladimir Putin.
Though the Malian government has never publicly acknowledged Wagner’s presence, instead referring to “Russian instructors,” foreign officials say Moscow has maintained control throughout.
“The Kremlin remains in control,” the diplomatic source added. “Most of the Wagner personnel in Mali, who are originally from Russia, will be reintegrated into the Africa Corps and remain stationed in northern regional capitals and Bamako.”
The Africa Corps, widely considered Wagner’s successor, is another paramilitary force aligned with the Russian government.
Like Wagner, its fighters operate across various African nations, offering military support to governments aligned with Moscow’s interests.