Mali experienced a tumultuous weekend marked by intense violence. This past Saturday, April 25, a coalition of jihadist groups and Tuareg rebels launched coordinated assaults on multiple strategic positions held by the ruling junta. These attacks occurred both near Bamako—where Defense Minister Sadio Camara was reportedly killed during an assault on his residence—and in several other major urban centers across the nation.

In Mali’s eastern region, rebel forces successfully recaptured Kidal, a strategically vital stronghold for the junta that had been under the firm control of the Russian paramilitary organization, Africa Corps, for several years. Following fierce engagements and extensive negotiations, the Africa Corps decided to withdraw. Despite this recent setback, the group maintains considerable influence across North Africa, extending its reach well beyond Mali’s borders.

Africa Corps, recognized as one of Russia’s most enigmatic military entities, began its operations in 2023. On November 20 of that year, military blogger Deux Majors first mentioned its establishment on Telegram, relaying statements from Igor Korotchenko, a former colonel and journalist with close ties to the Kremlin. The organization is reportedly overseen by Russia’s Deputy Defense Minister, Younous-bek Evkourov.

This development became public knowledge as the Wagner Group, Russia’s autonomous armed branch established in 2014 to safeguard Russian international interests, particularly in Africa, began to falter.

The founders of the Wagner Group, oligarch Evgueni Prigojine and former Russian intelligence officer Dmitri Outkine, both perished in a mysterious plane crash in August 2023. This tragic event occurred shortly after Prigojine, once a close associate of Vladimir Poutine, had attempted to orchestrate an armed rebellion against Moscow.

Amidst this turbulent environment, Africa Corps has sought to assume control of its predecessor’s operations in the region. An American governmental source disclosed in 2023 that “Africa Corps is a rival to Wagner, destined to absorb its activities in Africa and its personnel.” Described as a rigid and highly centralized entity, this new paramilitary force operates under the direct command of Moscow.

Mirroring the Wagner Group, which was named in homage to the composer Richard Wagner, Adolf Hitler’s favorite musician, the new organization’s name also carries a controversial historical weight. It directly references the “Afrikakorps,” the German expeditionary force that fought for the Third Reich in North Africa during World War II.

Clearly Defined Objectives

From its inception, Africa Corps has articulated its goals with precision. Igor Korotchenko stated that the group “must conduct large-scale military operations on the African continent to support countries seeking to finally break free from neocolonial dependence, eliminate Western presence, and achieve full sovereignty.”

However, the organization aims to maintain a lower profile than the Wagner Group, which frequently faced accusations of war crimes and brutal repression against local populations. Africa Corps focuses its efforts on strengthening alliances with Russian-aligned governments by providing military personnel and equipment. Gradually, this armed branch has expanded its network, establishing a presence first in Burkina Faso, then extending to Libya, Sudan, the Central African Republic, and Niger.

Significant Presence in Mali

Africa Corps effectively replaced Wagner’s presence in Mali starting in 2024, deploying hundreds, if not thousands, of fighters. Several former Wagner commanders, along with their units, even joined its ranks in the region.

Since then, the organization has been instrumental in supporting the Malian junta in Bamako against the Tuareg rebels. This engagement serves as a key strategy for Moscow to expand its regional influence, particularly following the gradual withdrawal of Western powers, including France. Additionally, it allows Russia to exert leverage over migratory routes and gain access to valuable mineral resources.

Despite its territorial involvement being perceived as less violent than that of Wagner, Africa Corps has repeatedly been targeted by international sanctions. In 2024, the United Kingdom, for instance, accused the group of committing “widespread human rights violations across the continent” and “exploiting these countries’ natural resources for their own gain.”