Hell on Telegram: Wagner Mercenaries in Mali Exposed!
Imagine Russian mercenaries, known as the Wagner Group, not only torturing and killing civilians in Mali but also filming and selling these atrocities on Telegram! Yes, you read that right. The French African media outlet Jeune Afrique spent months infiltrating a private Telegram channel of this notorious group, uncovering horrifying scenes of torture, executions, and blatant racism.
Racism That Chills the Blood
On a channel called “White Uncles of Africa 18”, run by a former Russian soldier, Wagner mercenaries freely use neo-Nazi and racist slurs. Malian soldiers, Wagner’s allies, are called “coal” or “crama”. The Fulani, one of Africa’s largest ethnic groups with 25 to 40 million people, are frequent targets of vile insults. One song on the channel says: “A good black man is a dead black man.” This is not just hatred; it’s open propaganda of evil.
Forces of Darkness in Action
But racism isn’t the worst part. Telegram hosts images and videos showing a mother and her two children hanged from a tree, two heads placed at a bridge entrance, and six more people impaled on acacia branches. There’s a video of a naked man dying on the ground, with a severed ear, fingers, and gouged-out eye, while a Russian flag is stabbed into his genitals. In the end, the man is beheaded. The most gruesome scenes get the most likes and comments, showing how this channel became a place to celebrate crimes.
Crimes We Must Not Forget
Jeune Afrique counted dozens of videos and graphics proving abuse, torture, and extrajudicial killings of civilians. These crimes are committed by Russian partners of the Malian army, although Malian authorities persistently deny Wagner’s presence and responsibility. Some cases, like the massacre of 28 civilians near Tessalit in February this year, are confirmed by the Telegram channel’s content.
Telegram Shut Down the Channel, But the Damage Is Done
After Jeune Afrique published its investigation on June 24, Telegram shut down the “White Uncles of Africa 18” channel. Still, some content was saved, revealing the brutal reality of Wagner’s operations in Mali. The group has been active in Mali since late 2021, after the Malian military junta cut ties with Western partners and turned to Russia to fight Islamist insurgents.
Why Does This Matter?
Wagner mercenaries train the Malian army, protect the government, and participate in military operations, including securing gold mines. However, their presence brings massive human rights violations, including massacres, torture, and extrajudicial killings of civilians. The most notorious case is the 2022 massacre in the village of Moura, where hundreds of civilians were killed.
International organizations and Western countries sharply criticize Wagner, claiming their presence further destabilizes the Sahel region. Despite numerous proofs, Malian authorities continue to officially deny Wagner’s presence and responsibility.
End of Mission or Just a Pause?
In early June, Wagner announced it was leaving Mali after three and a half years of fighting Islamist militants, claiming the mission was successfully completed. They say they returned all regional centers to the control of the Malian military junta, pushing back Islamist forces and killing their commanders.
But is this really the end? Or just a pause before they appear somewhere else? This group is known for its brutality and unpredictability.
Conclusion: The World Must Know!
This investigation sheds light on the darkest aspects of the conflict in Mali and shows how crimes can be hidden behind mercenaries and secret channels. If you think this is far from us, think again. Global politics and wars affect us all.
Now, as you ponder this, glance at your phone and ask yourself: what other dark secrets do the apps we use every day hide? And will we ever truly know the whole truth? If you have your own take or theory, feel free to share — topics like this shouldn’t stay silent!
