Africa Corps recalibrates strategy in Mali

Africa Corps, a Russian paramilitary organisation, is shifting plans and tactics in Mali after a difficult series of events pushes them back. According to the Africa Defence Forum (AFD) on June 16th, the mercenary organisation is getting its fighters out of the northern regions, such as Kidal, in order to protect the capital Bamako. The group’s mission in Mali is to support the military Junta led by General Goita. 

Benedicte Manzin, analyst for UK-based intelligence firm Sybiline, told the AFD that “by and large they are taking more of a backseat role”, adding that “they are trying to minimise personal exposure and maximise the damage they can do”. 

Africa Corps, led by the Russian Deputy Defence Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov and directly linked to the Russian Ministry of Defence, replaced the Wagner Group mercenaries in 2025, after the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) ambushed the soldiers outside Tinzouatin near the Algerian border. 

There are about 2000 men of this organisation on the ground, many of whom are former Wagner mercenaries. 

The loss of Kidal to the two terrorist groups, FLA and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), has played a role in the departure of Africa Corps from the region. Africa Corps launched airstrikes on Kidal after the joint attack, forcing civilians to flee. 

Aerial resources have appeared to become the most important tactic for the paramilitary group. They have been launching Russian-made cluster bombs, particularly violating Mali’s commitment under the international convention banning these weapons. 

Moreover, Africa Corps is also trying to overcome the economic blockades organised by the JNIM. Fighters have been supplying more ammunition, while air support has begun escorting convoys entering from different neighbouring countries, such as Côte d’Ivoire or Guinea. Africa Corps has also launched drone attacks on the city of Kidal, as well as on supposed terrorist hideouts or bases, including a fuel depot in the Timbuktu region. 

Mali has spent nearly $1 billion on Russian mercenary groups since 2021, while the JNIM has only grown, taking cities and becoming administrative hubs around the occupied parts of the country. Experts further claim that the abuse of civilians by government troops has created opportunities for terrorists to exploit, particulalry in relation to civilians and human rights abuses.

Africa Defence Forum, Maghrebi.org