Bamako: A fresh investigative report has cast new light on the simmering tensions inside Mali’s armed forces, exposing the fallout from the country’s controversial alliance with Russia’s Wagner mercenaries. The report, compiled by The Sentry, details how Wagner’s years-long presence not only altered the military balance in Mali but also fostered mistrust, division, and discontent among Malian soldiers themselves.
The backdrop of this rift lies in Mali’s political upheaval following the coups of 2020 and 2021, when the ruling juntas turned away from Western partners, expelling French troops and United Nations peacekeepers. Into this vacuum entered Wagner, whose fighters were deployed to aid the state’s battle against insurgents. However, their operations quickly became a source of friction. According to testimonies gathered by The Sentry, Wagner operatives routinely bypassed Mali’s chain of command, commandeered army vehicles and weapons, and carried out missions without coordination with local commanders. This left Malian units stretched thin and vulnerable in frontline engagements with jihadist groups.
Fueling resentment further was the perception of preferential treatment for the Russian mercenaries. Soldiers described how Wagner fighters had access to emergency medical evacuations even when fuel shortages left Malian troops stranded. Such disparities deepened the sense of inequality and suspicion within the ranks, planting seeds of long-term instability in the military’s cohesion.
Although Wagner officially withdrew from Mali in June 2025, their influence has not entirely vanished. Most fighters have simply reappeared under the Kremlin-backed “Africa Corps,” with estimates suggesting that up to 80% of the unit is composed of ex-Wagner personnel. Their continued presence has intersected with rising political tensions: earlier this year, more than 30 Malian soldiers were arrested on allegations of plotting destabilization an episode the report links to growing frustration over the mercenaries’ enduring role in the country.
Defense Minister Sadio Camara, who orchestrated Wagner’s initial deployment, has long been a polarizing figure. His ties to Moscow even triggered sanctions from Washington. Yet, President Assimi Goita has sought to limit the mercenaries’ dominance, reportedly blocking their access to lucrative gold-mining concessions. This move not only curtailed Wagner’s economic ambitions but also underscored the power struggle at the top of Mali’s leadership.
The findings illustrate how Mali’s experiment with foreign mercenaries has left a complex and corrosive legacy. Far from delivering stability, Wagner’s involvement has fragmented trust within the armed forces and tethered the nation’s sovereignty to outside actors. As Bamako navigates its fragile security environment, the challenge now lies in repairing military unity while reducing dependency on external forces whose loyalty ultimately lies beyond Mali’s borders.