DAKAR: The Russian paramilitary group Wagner has left Mali and its units there have been taken over by the Moscow-run Africa Corps, diplomatic and security sources told AFP on Sunday. “Officially, Wagner is no longer present in Mali. But the Africa Corps is stepping up,” one diplomatic source in the Sahel region said. A Telegram account affiliated with Wagner said: “Mission accomplished. PMC Wagner is going home.” Mali’s ruling junta, which seized power in coups in 2020 and 2021, broke off ties with former colonial power France and pivoted toward Russia for political and military support.

Drei Jahre lang kämpfte die Gruppe Wagner in Mali an der Seite der Armee. Nun kündigten die russischen Söldner ihren Rückzug an.

The Russian mercenary group is leaving amid an uptick in deadly Islamist insurgent attacks.