AEI's Critical Threats published on 12 June 2025 an analysis titled "Wagner Out, Africa Corps In" by Liam Karr and Kathryn Tyson.
Russia's Wagner Group formally withdrew from Mali and transitioned the Russian military presence to the Africa Corps. As the Wagner Group pulls out of Mali, al-Qaeda and Islamic State-affiliated insurgents are stronger than ever.
Russia is also trying to transition from the Wagner Group to the Africa Corps in the Central African Republic. Responsibility for Russian operations in Africa will now rest squarely with the Kremlin although Russian billionaire Gennady Timchenko may play a key role in the operations.