{"id":2444261,"date":"2025-06-07T12:50:59","date_gmt":"2025-06-07T16:50:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wagner-group-leaving-mali-after-heavy-losses-but-russias-africa-corps-to-remain-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-06-07T12:52:22","modified_gmt":"2025-06-07T16:52:22","slug":"wagner-group-leaving-mali-after-heavy-losses-but-russias-africa-corps-to-remain-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wagner-group-leaving-mali-after-heavy-losses-but-russias-africa-corps-to-remain-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Wagner Group leaving Mali after heavy losses but Russia\u2019s Africa Corps to remain &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">32<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwagner-group-leaving-mali-after-heavy-losses-but-russias-africa-corps-to-remain-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2444261&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Wagner Group, a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >private military company backed<\/a> by Russia, has announced its withdrawal from Mali after over three years of involvement in combatting Islamic extremism and insurgency in the nation. Despite thier departure, the Russian government intends to maintain a military presence in Mali via a different <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/iran-teases-attack-on-us-capitol-building-as-biden-admin-prepares-to-lift-sanctions\/\" title=\"Iran Teases Attack on US Capitol Building as Biden Admin Prepares To Lift Sanctions\">paramilitary force<\/a> known as the Africa Corps, which operates under the command of the Russian Defense Ministry. Since Wagner&#8217;s leader Yevgeny Prigozhin&#8217;s death earlier this year,the Russian military has been restructuring its operations in Africa and transitioning control toward the Africa Corps. <\/p>\n<p>Although Wagner claims to have successfully stabilized areas of Mali and disrupted militant activities, it has faced significant losses recently, particularly from the al-Qaida affiliate, JNIM. Reports of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/just-like-the-good-old-days-joe-biden-invades-syria-with-convoy-of-us-troops-and-choppers-on-first-full-day-as-president\/\" title=\"Just Like the Good Old Days: Joe Biden Invades Syria with Convoy of US Troops and Choppers on First Full Day as President\">human rights abuses<\/a> by Wagner and the Malian army have also emerged, complicating their legacy in the region. Analysts suggest that the shift from Wagner to the Africa Corps may lead to a change in operational focus from direct engagement to training and support for the Malian army.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Wagner Group leaving Mali after <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gamestop-shares-jump-9-investment-firm-closes-main-fund-after-heavy-losses\/\" title=\"GameStop Shares Jump 9%, Investment Firm Closes Main Fund After Heavy Losses\">heavy losses<\/a> but Russia&rsquo;s Africa Corps to remain<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2141865\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>DAKAR, Senegal (AP) &mdash;<\/strong> The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/russia-putin-prigozhin-wagner-africa-belarus-e37f03e7fbb6baf36af0d4fb345deabe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Russia-backed Wagner Group<\/a>&nbsp;said Friday it is leaving Mali after more than three and a half years of fighting Islamic extremists and insurgents in the country.<\/p>\n<p>Despite Wagner&rsquo;s announcement, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Russia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Russia<\/a> will continue to have a mercenary presence in the West African country. The Africa Corps, Russia&rsquo;s state-controlled paramilitary force, said on its Telegram channel Friday that Wagner&rsquo;s departure would not introduce any changes and the Russian contingent will remain in Mali.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3434653\/israel-retrieved-body-thai-hostage-gaza-war\/\">Israel says it retrieved the body of a Thai hostage taken to Gaza when the war began<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3433650\/north-korea-corrects-naval-destroyer-balloons-manpower\/\">North Korea corrects disastrous naval destroyer with balloons and manpower<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/premium\/3429209\/future-of-palestinian-movement-israel-hamas-gaza\/\">The future of the Palestinian movement<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;Mission accomplished. Private Military Company Wagner returns home,&rdquo; the group announced via its channel on the messaging app Telegram. It said it had brought all regional capitals under control of the Malian army, pushed out armed militants and killed their commanders.<\/p>\n<p>Mali, along with neighbors Burkina Faso and Niger, has for more than a decade battled an insurgency fought by armed groups, including some allied with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.<\/p>\n<p>As Western influence in the region has waned, Russia has sought to step into the vacuum, sweeping in with offers of assistance. Moscow initially expanded its military cooperation with African nations by using the Wagner Group of mercenaries. But since the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/in-nevada-a-corrupt-cash-for-votes-scheme-is-hiding-in-plain-sight\/\" title=\"In Nevada, A Corrupt Cash-For-Votes Scheme Is Hiding In Plain Sight\">group&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s leader,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/yevgeny-prigozhin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Yevgeny Prigozhin<\/a>, was killed in a plane crash in 2023, after mounting a brief armed rebellion in Russia that challenged the rule of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/vladimir-putin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">President Vladimir Putin<\/a>, Moscow has been developing the Africa Corps as a rival force to Wagner.<a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/mali-jnim-extremism-attack-timbuktu-boulkessi-military-244e251ba668e1f03633f5270b7f6f50\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/mali-diafarabe-army-demonstration-villagers-killed-0cdbb574980f5c426be10590af786e7f\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/mali-violence-civil-army-human-rights-fulani-2e5cfd5c1d25c1c595ffc139d1b269d9\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Africa Corps is under direct command of the Russian defense ministry.<\/p>\n<p>According to U.S. officials, there are around 2,000 mercenaries in Mali. It is unclear how many are with Wagner and how many are part of the Africa Corps.<\/p>\n<p>Beverly Ochieng, a security analyst specializing in the Sahel for Control Risks consultancy, said the Russian defense ministry had been negotiating with Mali to take on more Africa Corps fighters and for Wagner mercenaries to join Russia&rsquo;s state-controlled paramilitary force.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Since the death of Prigozhin, Russia has had this whole plan to then make the Wagner Group fall under the command of the Ministry of Defense. One of the steps they made was to revamp or introduce the Africa Corps, which is the way in which the Russian paramilitaries would retain a presence in areas where the Wagner group has been operating,&rdquo; Ochieng said.<\/p>\n<p>Wagner has been present in Mali since late 2021 following a military coup, replacing French troops and international peacekeepers to help fight the militants. But the Malian army and Russian mercenaries struggled to curb violence in the country and have both been accused of targeting civilians.<\/p>\n<p>Last month, United Nations experts urged Malian authorities to investigate reports of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/mali-united-nations-summary-executions-forced-disappearances-0ab1f544af913cbf954e562b7f69e2f6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">alleged summary executions and forced disappearances by Wagner mercenaries and the army<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In December, Human Rights Watch accused Malian armed forces and the Wagner Group of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/mali-human-rights-watch-russia-wagner-abuses-ee01ab840c6323c176ded02d1d7be5bb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">deliberately killing at least 32 civilians<\/a>&nbsp;over an 8-month span.<\/p>\n<p>The announcement of Wagner&rsquo;s withdrawal comes as the Malian army and the Russian mercenaries suffered heavy losses during attacks by the al-Qaida linked group JNIM in recent weeks.<\/p>\n<p>Last week, JNIM fighters&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/mali-jnim-extremism-attack-timbuktu-boulkessi-military-244e251ba668e1f03633f5270b7f6f50\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">killed dozens of soldiers in an attack on a military base<\/a>&nbsp;in central Mali.<\/p>\n<p>Rida Lyammouri, a Sahel expert at the Morocco-based Policy Center for the New South, said the major losses might have caused the possible end of Wagner&rsquo;s mission.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The lack of an official and mutual announcement from both the Malian authorities and Wagner indicate possible internal dispute which led to this sudden decision. Simultaneously, this could point to a new framework for Russian presence in the country,&rdquo; he said.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3312070\/lawsuits-targeting-trump-executive-orders\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>HERE ARE THE LAWSUITS TARGETING TRUMP&rsquo;S EXECUTIVE ORDERS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Replacing Wagner with Africa Corps troops would likely shift Russia&rsquo;s focus in Mali from fighting alongside the Malian army to training, said Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel program at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Africa Corps has a lighter footprint and focuses more on training, providing equipment and doing protection services. They fight less than the &lsquo;Rambo-type&rsquo; Wagner mercenaries,&rdquo; Laessing said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2141865\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2141865\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wagner Group exits Mali after losses; Russia&#8217;s Africa Corps stays<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":136,"featured_media":2444262,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/vladimir-putin-biden-sanctions.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[56735,4280,56734],"class_list":["post-2444261","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-mali","tag-russia","tag-wagner-group"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/vladimir-putin-biden-sanctions.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2444261","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/136"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2444261"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2444261\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2444265,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2444261\/revisions\/2444265"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2444262"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2444261"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2444261"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2444261"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}