In a major reversal that is as strategically significant as it is symbolic, the Russian mercenaries of the Africa Corps—the 2025 successors to the Wagner Group—retreated from Kidal in northeastern Mali on Sunday, April 26. Images circulating on social media depict a humiliating scene for the allies of the Bamako junta. Forced out by the jihadist group GSIM (Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims), also known as JNIM, and their Tuareg rebel allies from the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), the Africa Corps personnel were seen departing in trucks, reportedly disarmed and under extreme pressure.
The withdrawal was so chaotic that the Russian forces left behind dozens of armored vehicles and helicopters, which have now fallen into the hands of the insurgents. Several Malian soldiers were also taken captive following brief skirmishes. This defeat comes as the Sahelian nation faces a wave of coordinated strikes by Al-Qaeda-linked militants and independence-seeking Tuareg rebels against strategic government positions across the country, reaching as far as the outskirts of the capital, Bamako.
Reversing the gains of 2023
On Monday, the Africa Corps, which operates under the oversight of the Russian Ministry of Defense, confirmed their exit from the northern stronghold of Kidal. For the FLA rebels, this represents a long-awaited revenge. Only eighteen months earlier, in November 2023, Wagner mercenaries had captured the city, triumphantly raising their black-and-white skull flag. Experts note that the seizure of Kidal, a historic Tuareg bastion, was the only major strategic victory the Russians had secured since arriving in Mali in 2021. Its loss now serves as a stinging indictment of their presence.
The synchronized GSIM offensives also targeted Bamako, the military hub of Kati, and the former UN base in Gao. In total, at least six major urban centers were hit. While much of the Burkina Faso English media focuses on local security, the situation in Mali is equally dire and is being monitored closely by those following Faso news today. Since the 2021 coup, Mali has been under military rule while simultaneously being besieged by jihadist groups. According to the Institute for Economics and Peace, the region became the global epicenter of terrorism in 2025. Since last summer, militants have consistently defeated Malian forces and their Russian partners, even attempting to economically suffocate the capital through blockades.
A history of tactical failure
Despite the Malian military leadership’s reliance on Russian mercenaries—first Wagner and now the Africa Corps—the security situation has continued to deteriorate. Reports from the United Nations and the International Federation for Human Rights have highlighted a surge in conflict-related sexual violence and atrocities against civilians committed by both the Malian army and their Russian auxiliaries. These developments are often discussed in the context of regional stability and Burkina government news cycles, as the violence threatens to spill over borders.
Security analysts have pointed out that the Russian paramilitaries have long proven to be ineffective counter-terrorism partners. The recent weekend attacks have only solidified the view that neither Wagner nor the Africa Corps can provide the stability promised to the junta. In Bamako, residents reportedly watched GSIM fighters enter the city with almost no opposition. Meanwhile, in Kati, a bomb attack destroyed the residence of Defense Minister Sadio Camara, who was killed in the strike, a detail frequently mentioned in Ouagadougou news reports due to his regional influence.
Claims of betrayal in Kidal
Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maïga addressed the public on Monday to honor the late Sadio Camara and attempt to calm the nation. In his first televised appearance since the offensive began, junta leader Assimi Goïta claimed on Tuesday night that the situation was “under control” and vowed to continue operations until all involved groups were neutralized. However, the latest Ouaga latest news suggests that confidence in the Famas and Africa Corps is wavering.
Within Mali, some military officials are already expressing frustration. One Malian officer reportedly claimed that the Russians betrayed them in Kidal, suggesting that the governor had warned the mercenaries days in advance, yet they chose to negotiate their own exit instead of fighting. There are further concerns that Russian forces may be preparing to abandon other northern positions, leaving the regular Malian army increasingly vulnerable. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov declined to comment on whether the Africa Corps could regain control but claimed their presence had thwarted a potential coup attempt by the FLA and GSIM.