The Russia-backed Wagner Group of mercenaries announced on Friday that they will be leaving Mali after over three and a half years of fighting Islamist insurgents in the country. Although Wagner is departing, Russia will continue to have a presence in Mali through the Africa Corps, a paramilitary force also controlled by Russia, which will remain in the country.
The Africa Corps stated on their Telegram channel that there will be no changes with Wagner’s departure, and the Russian contingent will continue to stay in Mali. Wagner announced that their mission has been accomplished and they will be returning to Russia.
The Wagner Group has been in Mali since the French and United Nations troops were expelled by the army. Waning Western influence in the region has led Russia to fill the gap and offer assistance.
Wagner claimed that they have successfully brought all of the country’s regional centers under the control of the Malian military junta.
The Africa Corps was formed with the support of the Russian Defense Ministry after Wagner’s founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, and commander, Dmitry Utkin, led a failed military mutiny against the Russian army leadership. Prigozhin was later killed in a plane crash, with US officials suggesting sabotage on board brought down the plane.
The Africa Corps is comprised of former Wagner mercenaries, making up about 70-80% of their group. Around 2,000 mercenaries are deployed in Mali, but it is unclear how many are with Wagner and how many are part of the Africa Corps, according to US officials.
Wesley Dockery edited this content.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/russia-s-wagner-group-leaves-mali-africa-corps-will-stay/a-72829045?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
