According to Der Spiegel, the Russian private military company Wagner has announced its withdrawal from Mali, a West African country where its mercenaries had been actively engaged in combat operations alongside government forces for several years. In an official video statement, the group’s press service declared:
“We have fulfilled our mission and are returning home.”
The statement continued:
“We came at the request of the Malian government and helped drive out organizations that had seized control over parts of the country. We destroyed thousands of fighters and their commanders who had been terrorizing the civilian population for years. As the security infrastructure has now been built, we consider our task complete.”
However, Der Spiegel notes that the statement omits a key fact: in recent months, Wagner forces suffered heavy losses in intense fighting — including the deaths of several high-ranking commanders. This raises questions about whether this “completed mission” is in fact a euphemism for a retreat prompted by unsustainable casualties.
The Context of the Malian Conflict
Mali, a nation of roughly 24 million people located in the Sahel region, has been engulfed in violent conflict for years. Since 2021, Wagner fighters have supported the Malian army in its war against both Islamist militant groups and Tuareg rebels. The Tuareg are an ethnic group inhabiting the Sahara and northern Mali, many of whom feel marginalized by the Malian central government.
The country is ruled by General Assimi Goïta, who seized power in two successive military coups in 2020 and 2021. Although he officially heads a transitional government, Goïta has repeatedly postponed the promised democratic elections, citing ongoing security concerns.
Russia’s Growing Footprint in Africa
Observers and analysts point out that Wagner’s operations in Africa go far beyond Mali. Russian mercenaries are also deployed in the Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Even smaller nations like São Tomé and Príncipe have signed military agreements with Moscow, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo is cooperating with Russia on military matters.
After the death of Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin — who perished in a mysterious plane crash — the group reportedly came under direct Kremlin control. Initially acting as Prigozhin’s paramilitary tool, Wagner is now seen as a broader extension of the Russian state.
The Price of “Help”: Resources for War
In exchange for providing military and security services, Russia often secures access to valuable natural resources — including gold, uranium, and other minerals. Wagner forces not only participate in combat but also protect political leaders, suppress rebellions, and train local troops.
However, Wagner’s record in Africa has been marred by accusations of brutality. Human rights groups and conflict analysts have repeatedly reported civilian casualties and abuses. According to the conflict-monitoring group ACLED, Wagner operatives in Mali were involved in numerous military operations, some of which reportedly targeted civilians.
What’s Next?
Wagner’s departure from Mali does not necessarily signal the end of Russian influence in the region. On the contrary, it may represent a strategic shift — one that reflects changes in Moscow’s military calculus rather than a retreat from Africa altogether.
As Der Spiegel concludes, the Kremlin continues to pursue a calculated strategy of influence across the African continent, leveraging the instability of authoritarian regimes in exchange for geopolitical loyalty and resource access. Wagner may be leaving Mali, but Russia is staying put.
This article was prepared based on materials published by Der Spiegel. The author does not claim authorship of the original text but presents their interpretation of the content for informational purposes.
The original article can be found at the following link: Der Spiegel.
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