Russian Military Unit in Mali Accused of Brutal Abuses

The recent emergence of a new Russian military unit, known as the Africa Corps, in Mali has prompted serious allegations of human rights abuses. According to interviews conducted by the Associated Press with dozens of refugees who fled Mali, the unit has reportedly engaged in acts of violence, including rapes and beheadings, while collaborating with Mali’s military to combat extremist groups. The unit replaced the Wagner Group earlier this year, raising concerns among civilians who had hoped for a reduction in brutality.

These accounts were gathered during a rare opportunity to speak with those who crossed into Mauritania, where refugees disclosed harrowing experiences since the Africa Corps’ arrival. Many of them insisted on anonymity due to fears of retaliation. The testimonies suggest that the Africa Corps employs similar tactics to its predecessor, Wagner, which has been linked to a pattern of violence and intimidation in the region.

Escalating Violence in Mali

The Sahel region, particularly Mali, has seen a troubling escalation in violence related to extremism. As the deadliest area globally for such activities, the situation has worsened due to shifting alliances, with military governments in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger increasingly turning to Russia for military support against groups affiliated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State.

The Africa Corps officially took over from Wagner approximately six months ago, leading to rising hopes among civilians for a less violent approach. Yet, refugees describe a “new reign of terror” by the “white men” operating within a lawless territory. One Malian village chief who managed to escape stated, “The soldiers speak to no one. Anyone they see, they shoot. No questions, no warning.” He emphasized that there is little distinction between the actions of Wagner and those of the Africa Corps.

Despite the Malian government’s silence regarding the presence of Wagner, Russian state media have publicly praised the Africa Corps for its efforts to protect Mali from “terrorists.” The Russian Foreign Ministry has confirmed that the unit operates at the request of Malian authorities, supporting ground operations and search-and-rescue missions.

Human Rights Concerns and Accountability

The documented abuses have reportedly intensified since Wagner began collaborating with Mali’s underfunded military in 2021. It is estimated that Mali paid Russia approximately $10 million per month for Wagner’s assistance. While Wagner was not officially under Kremlin control, it maintained close ties with Russian military and intelligence.

Following the death of Wagner’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in a plane crash in 2023, the Africa Corps was developed as a successor. However, details regarding the unit’s operations, including the exact number of personnel—estimated at around 2,000—remain unclear. Reports indicate that not all fighters are Russian; several refugees mentioned encountering Black men speaking various foreign languages, suggesting a diverse recruitment strategy that may include personnel from Belarus and other African nations.

The situation for civilians is dire, as they find themselves caught between the Africa Corps, Malian forces, and extremist groups. The intensity of the military campaign against militants escalated significantly in September, coinciding with JNIM fighters imposing a blockade on fuel supplies into Mali. As humanitarian access is severely limited, it is challenging to ascertain the full extent of violence occurring in remote areas.

The representative for the U.N. refugee agency in Mauritania, Sukru Cansizoglu, remarked, “There are many instances of people being raped, attacked, or killed.” However, he noted the difficulty in identifying the specific perpetrators due to the chaotic environment. Heni Nsaibia from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project added that civilians are “between a rock and a hard place,” facing threats from both the army and extremist groups.

Legal experts highlight that the transition from Wagner to the Africa Corps may render the Russian government accountable for the actions of this military unit. According to Lindsay Freeman, senior director of international accountability at the UC Berkeley School of Law’s Human Rights Center, the continuity in personnel and tactics implies a direct association with the Russian state. She stated, “Any war crimes committed by Africa Corps in Mali are, in principle, attributable to the Russian government under the rules on state responsibility.”

As the situation evolves, the plight of civilians in Mali remains precarious, with ongoing military operations raising alarm over the potential for further human rights violations.