Following the withdrawal of French forces from Operation Barkhane and the conclusion of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), Mali embarked on a significant strategic reorientation towards Moscow. This alliance is now exemplified by the Africa Corps, an entity directly linked to the Russian Ministry of Defense. However, after several years of its deployment, the security outcomes raise questions, suggesting that the effectiveness of this “mercenary” approach in addressing a complex, multi-faceted crisis appears increasingly elusive.

A clear failure in crisis management

The transitional Malian government had articulated a clear objective: to regain the upper hand against terrorist organizations, specifically the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS). While Africa Corps facilitated a highly symbolic show of force, notably culminating in the capture of Kidal in late 2023, the overall security improvements remain fragile.

On the ground, a persistent stalemate is evident. Terrorist assaults continue unabated, and disturbingly, these attacks are now encroaching closer to the capital, Bamako. The perception of Russian “instructors” as invincible was shattered during the severe setback at Tinzawatène in July 2024. Ambushed by Coalition of Azawad Movements (CSP) rebels and jihadist factions near the Algerian border, Russian paramilitaries reportedly sustained one of their most significant historical losses.

A crucial failing is the inability to maintain control over territory. Although Africa Corps demonstrates proficiency in swift, decisive “punch” operations, it struggles to ensure lasting security in areas it has recaptured. Frequently, after their convoys depart, civilian populations are left exposed and vulnerable to brutal retaliatory actions by armed groups.

The grey zone: an absence of accountability

A significant challenge with Africa Corps stems from its ambiguous legal standing. Unlike a conventional military force, the group operates with complete legal obscurity, giving rise to two primary concerns:

• Accountability for abuses: Numerous non-governmental organizations have documented allegations of violence against civilians during sweep operations. As Africa Corps is not recognized as an official state entity bound by international law, it largely evades accountability. For victims, seeking redress through legal channels remains an insurmountable hurdle.
• Security for resources: The economic framework underpinning the group raises questions about its true operational priorities. Frequently deployed near mining sites, particularly those rich in gold and lithium, Africa Corps personnel appear more focused on safeguarding extractive assets than on securing vital communication routes or isolated communities. In this context, security seems to function as a commodity for exchange rather than a fundamental public service.

The enduring security of a nation cannot be effectively outsourced to actors whose primary motivations are financial gain and geopolitical influence.

Malian sovereignty under strain

This strategic alignment places the Malian state in a precarious position. By severing ties with its traditional partners without achieving conclusive security outcomes, Bamako has fostered a heightened reliance on Moscow, which now significantly influences the national security agenda.

Furthermore, the presence of Africa Corps has strained relations with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and neighboring nations, complicating essential cross-border cooperation vital for containing the Sahelian threat. A tangible risk also exists for the weakening of the Malian national army (FAMA). Local forces express concerns about being marginalized or potentially used as “cannon fodder” in operations directed by commanders whose objectives may not align with the urgent need for local peace and stability.

The ongoing failure in crisis management underscores a stark truth: without fundamental political resolutions and genuine accountability to its citizens, foreign intervention – whether from Western powers or Russia – consistently encounters the same intractable realities. The Malian conflict is deeply rooted in governance shortcomings; a malady that mercenaries, regardless of their armament, are ill-equipped to remedy.

By Boureima Amadou — Reporter