Overview

• Wagner’s forces have officially ended their Mali deployment, with most fighters folded into the Kremlin-backed Russian Africa Corps.
• The Africa Corps, subordinate to Russia’s defense ministry, will assume security duties in Bamako and regional capitals in northern Mali.
• Mali’s junta has never publicly acknowledged Wagner fighters, referring to them only as Russian trainers, but confirms the new force will operate under the same chain of command.
• Human rights organizations continue to denounce the brutal tactics attributed to Wagner, raising concerns about continued abuses under the Africa Corps.
• Moscow has strengthened its presence in the Sahel through defense agreements that provide equipment and support to Niger and Burkina Faso.