How Russian military group lost its grip in African security promise
Russian private military presence in Mali faces major setbacks after recent attacks expose security gaps. Local conflicts intensify despite Moscowʼs promises to bring stability to the region
Recent events in Maliʼs capital show troubling gaps in security promises: Al-Qaeda linked attacks at the airport and police academy left almost 100 dead (mostly young police-trainees) this past September
The assault exposed weaknesses in Africa Corps operations - formerly known as Wagner group - which had pushed out French and UN forces with bold security guarantees. During the attack jihadists easily got into what shouldʼve been super-secure locations; setting an aircraft ablaze and damaging the passenger area
Near the Algerian border this past summer another big problem hit the Russian group: Tuareg fighters caught a military column in a sand-storm and killed at least 84 mercenaries (plus 47 local soldiers). The rebels shared videos showing lots of dead Russians near their broken-down vehicles
These issues dont match Vladimir Putinʼs recent statements at the Sochi meeting where he offered “total support“ to African partners. The Russian group has about 1‚500 people in Mali; 400 in Burkina Faso; and around 100 in Niger - but violence keeps getting worse
- Deaths from political fights went up 38% last year
- Civilian deaths increased by almost one-fifth
- The UN found proof of over 500 people killed in Moura village
The situation is quite different from late-2011 when Maliʼs problems started. Back then French troops came to help but got stuck in a hard fight. Now Turkey might step in - theyʼve made deals with 25+ African countries and sell them drones helicopters and other military stuff. A diplomat said: “Turkeyʼs biggest advantage is its non-colonial past“ [[Reuters source]]
