Over 13,000 Malians have fled to Mauritania, driven by increasing violence involving jihadist militants, Malian troops, and Russian fighters from the Africa Corps. Most of these refugees have sought safety in Mauritania’s Hodh Ech Chargi region. As violence worsens in central Mali, civilians face attacks, drone strikes, and property destruction, causing a humanitarian crisis. The military dynamics have shifted since the Malian military expanded its partnership with the Russian-led Africa Corps, raising concerns about human rights abuses and instability.

The majority of displaced individuals are women and children, now sheltered in the Mbera refugee camp, where aid is stretched to its limits. Humanitarian agencies warn of heightened risks of trafficking and exploitation as resources dwindle. The continuous power struggles, initiated by jihadist group JNIM disrupting supply chains, exacerbate the plight of civilians.

Simultaneously, Russia is pursuing broader non-military influence across Africa. The Russian Orthodox Church has expanded its operations, growing from four countries to a significant presence in 34 countries. This rapid growth aligns with Russia’s strategic interests, using religious expansion to spread anti-Western narratives and nurture regions amenable to Moscow’s political ambitions. Such efforts are part of a larger strategy, leveraging religious and social engagement to deepen influence while recruiting African nationals for its defense goals and its ongoing war in Ukraine.

Source: United24