African Agency: Replacing the Africa Corps taking Wagner’s spot is strengthens Russia’s presence in West Africa
While the Russian paramilitary group Wagner has announced the end of its mission in Mali, Russia is embarking on a new phase of its military presence in Africa.
The role has now been assigned to the Africa Corps, a unit operating under the direct command of the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The entry into force of this force represents a new phase in Russia-Mali security cooperation, with a more institutional structure.
Following the announced withdrawal of the Wagner Group, Russia’s military presence in Mali is now secured by the Africa Corps, a unit created to succeed Wagner in its operations on the continent.
It’s specifically coordinated by Deputy Defense Minister General Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, a key figure in Russia’s military apparatus in Africa.
The deployment of the Africa Corps to Mali and other African countries is based on a recruitment process organized by the Russian Ministry of Defense.
According to information shared by the corps’ official channel, only professional soldiers are eligible to apply, with priority given to officers and technical specialists.
The required profiles cover a wide range of occupations: infantry, artillery, armored vehicles, drone operators, electronic warfare, air defense, military medicine, and even translation into local languages, French, and Arabic.
All candidates sign a military contract voluntarily, and no civilian positions are offered.
This recruitment reflects the Russian authorities’ desire to form a professional, independent operational corps capable of taking over from Wagner on the ground.
Therefore, replacing Wagner with the Africa Corps doesn’t appear to be a withdrawal, but rather a strengthening of Russia’s presence in West Africa in a governmental and institutional form.
The Africa Corps has officially begun combat operations, as confirmed by a recent airstrike against an al Qaeda headquarters.
According to the African Initiative, which is a Russian news agency focused on African affairs, combat helicopters from the Africa Corps unit killed a number of fighters in an operation whose location was not specified.
A video posted on the Africa Corps’ Telegram channel shows air maneuvers and the destruction of ground targets, demonstrating the growing power of this new Russian military arm on the continent.
These forces are present in several other African countries, including Libya, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Equatorial Guinea.
On March 4, 2025, General Yevkurov made a highly symbolic working visit to Bamako, accompanied by the Russian ambassador to Mali, Igor Gromyko.
They were received by the Malian Minister of Defense, General Sadio Camar, and the head of the transitional phase, General Assimi Goita.
The Russian Deputy Minister reiterated Russia’s commitment to providing sustained support to the Malian Armed Forces in the face of ongoing security threats.
Discussions revolved around the positive outcomes of Russian-Mali military cooperation, which included the supply of military equipment and technical training provided by the Africa Corps.
Although the Wagner Group claims significant operational successes, particularly the recapture of Kidal and Gao in cooperation with the Malian Armed Forces, the move by the Africa Corps aims to formalize the Russian presence more formally and sustainably under the Ministry of Defense.
Deputy Minister General Yevkurov plays a central role in this security structure and also oversees similar missions in the Central African Republic and Equatorial Guinea.
This dynamic is in line with an expanded diplomatic and military approach aimed at providing an alternative strategic partnership to former colonial powers in the security field.
Mali and Russia celebrated the results achieved so far and expressed their desire to deepen this cooperation, which could expand beyond the military sector, particularly towards economic development, infrastructure, and cultural exchanges.
