Mali’s military junta faces turmoil after Africa corps retreat

Strategically orchestrated triumph. Social media is flooded with footage showing Tuareg fighters from the Front de libération de l’Azawad (FLA) and the Jnim (Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin) boldly standing atop abandoned armored vehicles left behind by fleeing Russian mercenaries. Just 48 hours after the Mali city of Kidal fell into rebel hands, the Africa Corps—formerly known as Wagner—evacuated under heavy escort. The FLA took to X (Twitter) to declare a secure withdrawal agreement had been reached with elements of the Africa Corps to ensure their safe exit from Kidal.