Trending 
The Wagner Group has announced that it is withdrawing from Mali, stating that it has completed its primary mission in the West African nation.
The Russian mercenary organisation has been active there since 2021, collaborating with the military to combat Islamist extremists.
The withdrawal coincides with reports indicating that Malian troops had abandoned a significant base in the centre of the country after enduring a second lethal attack in less than a week.
Mali has been dealing with an insurgency for over ten years. After facing accusations of inadequate responses to this insecurity, the military took control a few years ago.
French forces, which were initially sent to assist the civilian government, exited the country in 2022. By then, the junta in Mali had already started coordinating with the Russian mercenaries to tackle the insurgents.
Recent weeks have witnessed a spike in terrorist assaults targeting military installations in the Sahel region. The rise in attacks within the Sahel region has heightened worries regarding the effectiveness of Wagner’s presence there.
Although the paramilitary group has announced its departure from Mali, Russian forces will continue to play a crucial role in the nation’s security framework.
Personnel from Africa Corps – a competing Russian mercenary organisation aimed at taking over Wagner’s operations on the continent – will stay in Mali.
Russia is increasingly expanding its military, political, and economic influence across West and Central Africa.
