Russia Commits to Ongoing Support for Mali as Wagner Mercenaries Pledge Allegiance
Russia has vowed to continue offering comprehensive assistance to Mali, despite the recent plane crash that claimed the life of Wagner Chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin. With approximately 1,000 Wagner fighters aiding Mali’s junta in their fight against Islamist insurgents, Russian Deputy U.N. Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy asserted that Russia would maintain its bilateral cooperation with Mali and provide support to African partners on a mutually respectful basis. This commitment comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin mandated the Wagner fighters to pledge their allegiance to the Russian state.
The U.N. Security Council voted in June to end the long-standing peacekeeping mission in Mali following a request from the military junta—a move allegedly orchestrated by the Wagner group, according to the United States. Mali has been grappling with an Islamist insurgency since an uprising in 2012, with the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara significantly expanding its areas of control within the country over the past year, as reported by U.N. sanctions monitors.
The collaboration between Mali’s junta, which seized power through coups in 2020 and 2021, and the Wagner group has raised concerns among the international community. The closure of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) by the transition government has already resulted in a surge of violence, as feared by many. The withdrawal of MINUSMA limits the ability of the international community to protect civilians from Wagner’s activities, further exacerbating the insecurity in Mali, as emphasized by U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield.
The ongoing commitment from Russia to support Mali, along with the emergence of conflicts and security challenges, showcases the complexity of the situation in the region. As Mali and other African partners continue to grapple with insurgencies and seek external assistance, the international community faces the dilemma of balancing their own interests, combating terrorism, and protecting civilian populations. The evolving dynamics in Mali and the involvement of foreign actors underscore the need for a comprehensive and multilateral approach to address the security and humanitarian crisis.
