The Russian private military company Wagner has ended its operations in Mali, drawing a close to more than three years of involvement in the West African nation. The announcement was made on Friday via Telegram, where the group declared that its objectives in the region had been fulfilled and that its forces would now return to Russia.
“The mission is complete,” read the statement. “PMC Wagner is returning home.”
Wagner claimed its forces had contributed to the creation of a “strong and disciplined army” in Mali capable of securing national territory. The group further asserted that all regional capitals had been restored to the control of Mali’s legitimate government and that its operatives had neutralized “thousands of militants and their commanders” who had long threatened the local population.
Mali has faced persistent instability since 2012, following the eruption of separatist and extremist insurgencies in the northern part of the country. In the years that followed, the crisis deepened, prompting a series of military takeovers. The latest junta, which seized power in 2021, moved to sever longstanding military and diplomatic ties with France and other Western nations, choosing instead to pursue closer defense cooperation with Russia.
Although Wagner’s withdrawal marks a shift, Moscow is not stepping back from Mali entirely. According to reports, the Russian government plans to sustain its footprint in the country through the Africa Corps—a newly formed, state-controlled paramilitary force that is expected to assume security responsibilities following Wagner’s exit.
The development comes against the backdrop of a broader geopolitical realignment in the Sahel. In January, Mali, along with neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger—each currently under military rule—formally withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The three countries have since created a new alliance known as the Alliance of Sahel States, signaling a move away from regional integration with West Africa’s traditional bloc in favor of a more independent and security-focused coalition.
Wagner’s presence in Mali had long been controversial, with critics accusing the group of exacerbating violence and undermining democratic governance. Its exit raises new questions about the future of security and international cooperation in the Sahel, as well as Russia’s evolving role in Africa.