Political situation in Mali

Russian forces forced to retreat from Mali town

The Russian paramilitary group Africa Corps, which is under the control of the Defense Ministry, is withdrawing from the city of Kidal in northeastern Mali. Reuters reports.

This follows fierce fighting against the Tuareg militia FLA, which has links to al-Qaeda's West African branch.

The Africa Corps, which includes former mercenaries from the Wagner Group, is fighting on the side of the ruling military junta. In recent days, armed jihadists and Tuareg rebels have stepped up attacks on the junta and the Russians, and yesterday the junta's defense chief Sadio Camara was killed in an attack on his home outside the capital Bamako.

Analysis: The limits of Putin's power in Africa are exposed

The fighting in Mali in recent days shows the limitations of Putin's attempts to gain influence in Africa, writes Pyotr Sauer for The Guardian.

When Mali’s military junta seized power and ousted French troops in 2022, they hired the Russian private militia Wagner Group. It has now been incorporated into the Africa Corps, which reports directly to the Russian Defense Ministry. The Africa Corps has been far from as successful as the Wagner Group, writes Sauer.

“Now questions will be raised about whether Russia can offer the solutions that African countries with internal rebellions are looking for,” says Ibrahim Yahaya Ibrahim of the International Crisis Group think tank.

Since the Wagner Group – which fell out of favor with Putin after the 2023 coup attempt – handed over to the Africa Corps, the military pace has slowed and Russian losses have increased, writes Georgi Gotev for EU Alive.

“The situation in Mali illustrates the complex geopolitics of the Sahel region: a rapid shift from French to Russian influence has not brought the promised stability, leaving the country vulnerable to new armed rebellions.”