The Wagner Group has officially declared its withdrawal from Mali, stating it has successfully “completed its main mission” in the West African nation. Since 2021, the Russian mercenary group has partnered with the Malian military to combat Islamist militants.
In a recent update via its Telegram channel, Wagner claimed to have fought alongside Malians against terrorism, resulting in the elimination of “thousands of militants and their commanders” who had long terrorized civilians. This announcement coincided with reports of Malian soldiers vacating a significant military base in central Mali after a series of attacks.
Mali has struggled with a militant Islamist insurgency for over a decade, leading to a military coup amid perceptions of governmental inefficacy in addressing the threat. French troops, originally sent to support the civilian authorities, withdrew in 2022, paving the way for the Malian junta to collaborate with Russian mercenaries.
Recent weeks have seen a spike in jihadist assaults on military installations in Mali. Reports revealed an al-Qaeda affiliated group, Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), claimed responsibility for a significant attack on a town and military base, resulting in over 30 soldier fatalities.
Despite Wagner’s announcement, Russian military presence will continue in Mali through the Africa Corps, a competing force designed to manage Wagner’s prior operations. Russia’s influence in West and Central Africa is on the rise, heightening concerns regarding security and stability in the region.
Source: www.bbc.com
