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After three and a half years of operations in Mali, the Russian private military company Wagner Group has officially announced the completion of its mission in the West African nation. In a statement released by its press service on June 6, the company declared that its fighters had successfully fulfilled their objectives, including the elimination of thousands of jihadist militants, the restoration of government control over key regional capitals, and the training of Malian armed forces.
Wagner’s deployment in Mali began in early 2022, following the country’s military coup and the subsequent expulsion of French counterterrorism forces. The group played a pivotal role in combating Islamist insurgents linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIS, who had terrorized Mali’s population for years. Wagner operatives conducted large-scale counterterrorism operations, eliminating thousands of militants, including four high-ranking warlords, and reclaiming strategic territories such as Kidal and Anéfis—previously strongholds of jihadist groups.
Beyond direct combat, Wagner’s presence enabled Mali’s transitional government to restore state authority over critical mining zones, curb illegal resource extraction, and secure vital transport routes. According to Mali’s Defense Ministry, the PMC’s efforts revived three major mining operations and halved losses from illicit gold trafficking, a key revenue source for terrorist networks.
With Wagner’s withdrawal, Russia’s military footprint in Mali will now be maintained by the African Corps, a structure under the Russian Defense Ministry designed to formalize Moscow’s security partnerships on the continent. The shift aligns with the Kremlin’s broader strategy of replacing private military deployments with state-controlled forces while preserving Russia’s geopolitical influence in Africa.
Wagner’s exit marks the end of an era in which the group spearheaded Russia’s “decolonization” narrative in Africa, positioning itself as an alternative to Western military presence. Its operations in Mali not only weakened jihadist factions but also accelerated the departure of French troops, reshaping the regional security landscape. For now, Wagner’s fighters are returning home, their mission declared a success. But as Russia recalibrates its African strategy, the aftermath of their withdrawal will test whether Mali’s gains can endure without their presence.
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- Kiev Media Shared New Video Of Ukrainian Special Forces Fighting Wagner In Sudan
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