Russian Wagner Mercenaries Lead a Campaign of Terror in Mali - WP.

The private company 'Wagner' threatens and pressures civilians in Mali

The private military company 'Wagner' continues to increase its influence in Mali, using tactics of fear and repression against the civilian population. Wagner militants remain a key tool for Moscow in Africa, despite claims of losing autonomy after the 2023 coup, reports The Washington Post.

The mercenary group arrived in Mali in 2021 when the Malian junta refused to cooperate with France and invited 'military instructors' from Russia. However, in reality, these are Wagner fighters participating in joint operations with the Malian army, suppressing insurgents and gaining access to the country's resources.

The official authorities of Mali deny the involvement of Russian mercenaries in the fighting and insist that they cooperate with 'Russian specialists'.

But satellite images, testimonies from local residents, and information from Western intelligence services indicate otherwise.

Wagner fighters, along with Malian military, are accused of punitive operations against civilians. According to human rights organizations, there have been numerous killings, disappearances, and torture over the past two years.

One of the most brutal episodes was the attack on central Mali, where Wagner fighters, along with local soldiers, killed over 100 civilians.

In official reports, this attack is referred to as a 'counter-terrorism operation', but independent investigations have shown that most victims were ordinary villagers.

The presence of Russian mercenaries in Mali has not only a military but also an economic aspect, as the Kremlin controls gold mines and other natural resources of the country through Wagner. Part of the profits from extraction goes to Russia and funds military operations, supporting the regime in Moscow.