Russia’s Africa Corps Describes Mali Attacks as Coup Attempt, Blames West
Russia’s paramilitary force operating in West Africa, the Africa Corps, has described the recent coordinated attacks across Mali as an attempted coup, alleging involvement of Western intelligence services.
According to statements attributed to the group, the large-scale assaults on military and strategic locations over the weekend were not merely insurgent operations but part of a broader effort to destabilize Mali’s ruling authorities. The Africa Corps claimed the attacks were “supported by Western intelligence services,” though it did not provide evidence to substantiate the allegation.
The claims come after one of the most significant waves of violence in Mali in recent years, with coordinated attacks reported in multiple cities including Bamako, Kati, Gao, and Kidal. Armed groups linked to jihadist networks and separatist movements were reported to have carried out the assaults, targeting military bases and key government figures.
The offensive exposed vulnerabilities in Mali’s security framework despite ongoing support from Russian forces, including the Africa Corps, which replaced the Wagner Group as Moscow’s primary military presence in the country.
International reaction has been cautious. The European Union condemned the attacks and expressed solidarity with Mali but did not address the accusations made by the Russian-linked force.
Analysts say the competing narratives surrounding the attacks highlight the growing geopolitical contest in the Sahel, where Russia and Western powers have vied for influence amid worsening insecurity. The situation remains fluid, with Malian authorities yet to officially characterize the attacks as a coup attempt.
The violence marks a significant escalation in Mali’s ongoing conflict, raising concerns about further instability across the region.
