Title: Explosive revelation: The Russian paramilitary group Wagner and its ineffectiveness against terrorism in Mali
Introduction :
Since arriving in Mali in 2021, mercenaries from the Russian paramilitary group Wagner claim to be fighting terrorism alongside the Malian army. However, a recent survey published by the newspaper Le Monde questions the effectiveness of this alliance. Wagner not only fails to achieve his counter-terrorism goal, he is also accused of aggravating violence in the country. Let’s take a closer look at the revelations of this investigation.
A controversial presence:
According to the Le Monde survey, around 1,600 Wagner mercenaries are currently deployed in Mali, spread over seven different bases. Despite evidence of their presence, Malian authorities continue to deny their existence, presenting them simply as “instructors” in state-to-state cooperation. Yet Wagner’s chief himself confirmed their attendance, as did Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. This contradiction raises questions about Wagner’s true intentions in Mali.
An increase in violence:
The Le Monde survey uses statistical data from the NGO Acled to show that since Wagner’s arrival, terrorist attacks have increased considerably in Mali. The Islamic State group is believed to have killed at least 688 civilians in 2022, eight times more than the average for previous years. Similarly, the group linked to Al-Qaeda, the Jnim, reportedly caused 590 civilian casualties, 3.5 times more than the average for previous years. These figures clearly indicate that Wagner’s presence failed to stem the terrorist threat in the country.
Wagner’s limits:
Le Monde points out that Wagner’s air assets are significantly lower than those of the French army, which completed its withdrawal in 2022. In addition, Wagner is mainly concentrated in the regions of Ségou and Mopti, in central Mali, leaving other areas of largely unguarded jihadist activity. This allowed terrorist groups, especially the Islamic State, to carry out mass killings, thus boosting their recruitment by using Wagner’s presence as leverage.
Abuses against civilians:
The survey also reveals that of the 294 joint operations by Wagner and the Malian army, more than half targeted civilians. The Russian mercenaries are accused of summary executions, rapes and other abuses against the local population. Nearly a thousand Malians not affiliated with terrorist groups were reportedly killed during these operations. These violent actions have heightened public resentment and helped fuel the recruitment of extremist groups..
Conclusion :
This investigation by Le Monde calls into question the effectiveness and real intentions of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner in Mali. Instead of fighting terrorism, Wagner appears to have escalated the violence and been unable to effectively secure the country. The consequences of this controversial alliance are obvious, with an increase in the number of civilian casualties and a persistent terrorist threat. It is essential that measures be taken to rectify this situation and protect the Malian population