According to reports, Russia has replaced Wagner with the so-called “Africa Corps” in Mali and Azawad, partly in an attempt to cover up the notoriously bad reputation Wagner has earned by its extreme cruelty to innocent civilians.
The Wagner Group has a history of brutality and war crime and their reputation is so bad that they has been officially classified as a terrorist organization in the UK. It has become illegal to support Wagner in the UK, and supporters can face prison sentences.
Some believe the Africa Corps will be less cruel than Wagner, but make no mistake!! People should not underestimate them; whether it’s them or Wagner, it’s the same evil. Their evil agenda hasn’t changed: and there´s indications that civilians are threatened by the Africa Corps’ operations.
Also, we must not see Wagner as a single entity, it´s a network. A vast network of shady operations and front companies with various activities in many countries. They have a large propaganda machine, or “troll” factory, self-sufficient and manipulative. They use titles like “instructors” or “protectors” and they know how to conceal their evil agendas by appearing sympathetic.
Except for those poor innocent civilians that are constantly tortured and murdered, sometimes only because they happen to be in the way of a Wagner patrol.
To quote a report: “Experts say Russia’s decision to rename Wagner with a name reminiscent of the Nazi regime’s Afrika Korps, created by Adolf Hitler to control North African territories during World War II, will not change its toxic impact on the countries where it operates.”
“Russian mercenaries are fighting in the Central African Republic (CAR) and Mali, where they are involved in extracting gold, diamonds, and other vital natural resources as payment for their services. They continue to kill, torture, and rob civilians who cross their paths.”
Source: ADF Magazine
According to reports by ACLED (Armed Conflict Location & Event Data) Overall, 71% of Wagner’s engagement in political violence in Mali /Azawad was violence targeting civilians. And that Wagner FAMa (the Malian armed forces) does not distinguish between between civilians and combatants, which was evidenced by for example the multi-day massacre in Moura and several other similar events.
And that includes all combatants, but especially the Azawad army, the Azawad Liberation Front, which Bamako regard as terrorists even though they are separatists. But then again, they regard every Azawadian living being as a “terrorist”. As for the real terrorist groups, they seem to be remarkable little targeted. Mostly sometimes maybe just for the show.
That is also explained by the fact that the Malian authorities main agenda is the ongoing genocide on the Azawadian population using and paying for the help of Wagner.
Outwardly FAMa claims they respect human rights and they have for a long time even flatly denied that Wagner is even there, while Wagner themselves have stated the contrary. And the contrary is the truth, they are definitely there, and that we all know, ever since they came.
As for Mali respecting human rights, there are reports containing interviews with Malian officials stating that the junta is not interested in any human rights. They even consider it a burden. That we know too, because that is proven every single day, and not only proven, it´s also recorded.
Moreover, Wagner also engage in targeting civilians independently, away from state forces and the groups operations have very negatively affected civilian safety. It will most likely be no different with the Africa Corps.
Wagner´s employment has entailed everything from looting and burning to mass atrocities, torture, summary executions, booby traps, poisoning of animals and general murder of civilian populations. Specifically Arabs, Tuareg and Fulani in Azawad.
Under a new name, the group continues the same tactics: propping up authoritarian regimes, plundering Africa’s wealth, and undermining stability. Has anything really changed?
Manifestation in Paris, jan 14, 2024, against the massacres done by the Wagner and Fama against civilians in Azawad.
An civilian in Azawad, got his ear cut off by Wagner in february 2025.
A village in Azawad burnt by Wagner/Fama.
Dead Wagner soldiers at the battle zone of Tinzawatene on july 27, 2024, when they were epically defeated by the Azawadian army. This was Wagner´s biggest loss ever on African soil. The reported toll was:
From the Wagner militia:
- 90 dead
- 17 wounded
- 5 were arrested.
From the Malian army:
- 84 dead
- 35 wounded
- 9 prisoners
Azawad Support Group 28-03-25
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