According to reports, the wagner group is a private military group and defacto army of the president of Russia. Reportedly, it was preliminarily formed in 1992 from the soviet army. According to a report, as well as mercenary activities they are involved in the exploitation of natural resources in Africa.
Reportedly, the wagner group first came to wider public attention in 2013, fighting for Russia in the Donbas region of Ukraine. According to a report, wagner were deployed to Mali in 2021 following news of France’s withdrawal. Reportedly, the french presence in Mali began in 2013 when they succesfully regained the northern half of the country from Islam.
According to reports, Mali who are a member of the world bank were in debt to the sum of $6.61 billion u.s. in 2019. Conflict is thought to be related to western interference and over resources. Reportedly, Mali is the third largest exporter of gold in Africa.