Tuareg rebels of the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) coalition gather at the Kidal roundabout in Kidal, on April 26, 2026. April 25, 2026's shock attacks, synchronised by Tuareg rebels of the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) coalition and the jihadist Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), targeted several areas in the vast arid country. Fighting resumed on April 26 in several areas, including Kita near Bamako, Kidal, Gao and Severe. Tuareg rebels meanwhile announced an agreement allowing Russian forces backing Mali's army to withdraw from the northern city of Kidal, which they claimed was "totally" under their control. (Photo by abdollah Ag Mohamed / AFP)
In the Sahel, geopolitical tensions have taken a dramatic turn with the recent withdrawal of Africa Corps from a key stronghold in northern Mali. This shadowy Russian paramilitary force, which has gradually replaced the Wagner Group, has been forced to abandon Kidal after years of control, following a coordinated offensive by Tuareg rebels and jihadist allies.
From shadows to Sahel: Africa Corps’ rise in Mali
Africa Corps emerged in 2023 as a more centralized and discreet successor to the Wagner Group, which had dominated Russian military operations in Africa for nearly a decade. While Wagner was known for its aggressive tactics and widespread accusations of human rights violations, Africa Corps operates under a different model: closer ties to Moscow, a focus on state partnerships, and a more subdued public profile.
The organization’s formation was officially announced in November 2023 by military blogger Deux Majors, citing statements from Igor Korotchenko, a former Russian colonel and Kremlin-aligned journalist. The group is reportedly overseen by Younous-bek Evkourov, Russia’s Deputy Minister of Defense, signaling direct state involvement in its operations.
Naming echoes of history
The name Africa Corps deliberately evokes the Afrikakorps of Nazi Germany during World War II, a unit that fought in North Africa. This historical reference is not coincidental: it serves as a symbolic assertion of Russian influence in Africa, positioning Moscow as a counterbalance to Western presence on the continent. While Wagner’s name honored a composer favored by Adolf Hitler, Africa Corps’ title carries a more overt political and historical weight.
Africa Corps’ strategic goals in West Africa
From its inception, Africa Corps has outlined a clear agenda: to conduct large-scale military operations across Africa, helping nations break free from
