Tuareg rebels in northern Mali have revealed they are still waiting for a direct communication from Moscow regarding the fate of captured Wagner Group fighters. The rebels, part of the Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security and Development (CSP), captured the mercenaries during a battle near the Algerian border last month.
A spokesperson for the CSP, Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, stated that the prisoners are being treated well and the group is open to dialogue. “We’re willing to listen to all proposals, but there’s been no negotiation so far,” Ramadane told Reuters.
The Tuareg rebels claim that at least 84 Wagner mercenaries and 47 Malian soldiers were killed in the clashes. Seven Wagner fighters were taken captive. Ramadane added that the rebels have been contacted by third parties, including NGOs and private citizens, regarding the prisoners, but none acting directly on behalf of the Russian government.
The Russian foreign ministry and embassy in Mali have not responded to inquiries about the prisoners.
Following the death of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin last year, the Kremlin brought Wagner and other mercenary groups under the umbrella of Africa Corps.
While neither Mali nor Wagner has disclosed the exact number of casualties, Wagner admitted to heavy losses in a rare statement. The Malian army blamed bad weather and an attack in the area for the incident.
The Tuareg separatists have been fighting for an independent homeland called Azawad since 2012, their struggle intertwining with an al Qaeda-aligned rebellion. Russia’s involvement in Mali began after the military ousted French and U.N. forces in 2020 and 2021.
Recently, Russia announced it was working to free two geologists held hostage by an Al Qaeda affiliate in Niger.Neighboring Niger, along with Mali and Burkina Faso, has also severed ties with Western forces and strengthened relations with Russia.