Wagner Group Experiencing Setbacks in Mali

In a recent report by the Ukrainian Foreign Intelligence Service (UIF), it has been highlighted that the Russian private military company (PMC) "Wagner" has failed to deliver on its promises in Mali. The UIF's assessment comes after a series of clashes between the "Wagner" PMC and the Malian army, which has escalated the violence in the West African country.

Approximately 2,000 Russian mercenaries from the company "Wagner" are currently stationed in Mali, but they have not helped Malian authorities fight jihadists as expected. In fact, jihadist influence in the region has increased, and 80% of deaths in the region are attributed to local forces and Wagner fighters.

The UIF described the events in Mali as "a failure of Russian mercenaries" from the company "Wagner". Mali's junta leader, Assimi Goïta, had expected Moscow's mercenaries to follow Malian military orders and effectively fight jihadists, but this has not happened.

The population of Mali has also refused to cooperate with the Russian mercenaries. Tensions between the Russian mercenaries and the Malian military have escalated to the point of repressions against officers who disagree with the PMC's methods.

The UIF further explained that Mali has not gained control over gold mines and other valuable resources, unlike Russia's successes in Sudan and CAR. This failure has contributed to the deterioration of Mali's relations with Russian mercenaries.

Despite this, Russia maintains a military presence and cooperation with nearly 30 African governments, and its "Africa Corps" functions directly under the Russian Ministry of Defence, distinct from Wagner. As of now, there is no specific public information naming other countries that are officially under evaluation to hire private security companies to replace the Russian PMC "Wagner" in Mali.

The Russian mercenaries in Mali have faced disobedience, equipment theft, and open racism from the Malian military. The UIF emphasized that the Russian terror tactics against ordinary Malians have proven ineffective. The "Wagner" PMC has not improved security or gained control over resources in Mali, further underscoring its failure in the country.