Tuareg Rebels Await Moscow's Outreach on Captured Wagner Fighters

Tuareg rebels in Mali have not yet received direct communication from Moscow regarding Russian Wagner Group fighters captured in a battle near Algeria. The prisoners are being treated well, with no negotiations initiated. The rebels are open to discussions but have only been contacted by third parties so far.

Tuareg rebels in northern Mali report they have yet to receive direct communication from Moscow about the fate of Russian Wagner Group fighters captured last month near the Algerian border. Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, spokesperson for the rebel coalition known as the Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security and Development (CSP), stated the prisoners are being treated well, and the rebels are open to outreach.

Ramadane mentioned, "As a matter of principle, we're open to listening to all initiatives and proposals, but so far, there's been no negotiation." The Tuareg rebels claim at least 84 Wagner mercenaries and 47 Malian soldiers were killed in the battle, with seven prisoners taken.

Although contacted by third parties, including NGOs and private citizens, there has been no direct contact from the Russian government about the Wagner prisoners. The Russian foreign ministry and embassy in Mali did not respond to requests for comment. Following the death of Wagner's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin last year, the Kremlin consolidated Wagner and other mercenary groups under Africa Corps.

Neither Mali nor Wagner have disclosed the number of troops lost in the clashes, although Wagner previously stated on July 29 it suffered heavy losses. The Malian army reported its forces were attacked and partly blamed the incident on poor weather conditions.

Tuareg separatists began an insurgency against the Malian government in 2012, demanding an independent homeland, Azawad. The conflict became intertwined with an Islamist rebellion aligned with Al Qaeda. Russian presence in Mali increased after the army's coups in 2020 and 2021 ousted French and U.N. forces, replacing them with Wagner.

This month, Russia's foreign ministry stated it is working to free two geologists employed by a Russian company, taken hostage by an Al Qaeda affiliate in Niger. Niger's junta has expelled Western forces and formed closer ties with Russia after seizing power last year, similar to the military rulers in Mali and Burkina Faso.

(With inputs from agencies.)