Sahel Edition

Sahel: Russia Replaces Wagner in Mali Under Pressure from Algeria, Touaregs BraceF

Posted On 8 June 2025

Number of times this article was read : 2075

As Wagner withdraws from Mali, Russia is not stepping away, but it’s reshaping its presence there. Under quiet pressure from Algeria, the mercenaries are being replaced by the Africa Corps—a more organized, state-run force that gives Moscow’s backing to Bamako a new kind of weight. For the Touareg leadership in the north, that shift has set off alarm bells. Wagner was brutal, but chaotic. This new force may be more capable—and harder to resist. Faced with that reality, some rebel commanders are now cautiously talking to jihadist groups like GSIM. It’s not an alliance, at least not yet. But in a region where loyalties are fragile and the threats keep multiplying, even a conversation says a lot.

🔒 SUBSCRIBER-ONLY ANALYSIS

This in-depth analysis is reserved exclusively for clients subscribing to The North Africa Journal.

Already a subscriber?
Please log in here

More on the Sahel

Sudan’s Army Gains Ground in Kordofan as War Strains Power and Food Systems$

Sudan’s army is gaining ground in North Kordofan, securing key transport routes that could support a broader push west toward Darfur. But battlefield advances are unfolding alongside a deepening national crisis, with power grid failures, disrupted agriculture and local conflicts compounding the country’s instability. But this latest military momentum is unlikely to resolve Sudan’s widening humanitarian and infrastructure challenges.

Sahel: Niger Emerges as Key Battleground as JNIM and Islamic State Collide$

A defection, a blood feud, and overlapping territorial ambitions are pushing JNIM and the Islamic State Sahel Province into direct competition across western Niger. The outcome around the region of Dosso could determine whether Sahelian jihadist violence stays fragmented — or consolidates into a wider regional arc.

The Nigeria Precedent: Why Degrading One Group Won’t Secure Mali$

The Nigeria Precedent: Why Degrading One Group Won’t Secure Mali$

Seven months into an air campaign against ISWAP and Boko Haram, Nigeria’s broader insecurity crisis remains largely untouched. As Washington weighs a similar strike option against JNIM in Mali, the Nigeria case raises hard questions about what airpower can actually buy.