The military junta ruling Mali since back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021 turned to Russia for security support, enlisting Wagner Group paramilitaries who were rebranded as Africa Corps in 2025.

From the articleMali forces, Russian backers kill scores of civilians in drone strikes, report says | ReutersAlso in Mali forces, Russian backers kill scores of civilians in drone strikes, report says, Mali’s military and armed groups committing abuses against civilians: HRW, Mali's army and rebel opponents guilty of human rights violations, new report finds