"US Accuses Russia's Wagner as UN Ends Mali Peace Mission"

The UN Security Council has voted to end the peacekeeping mission in Mali, following demands from the country's military junta. The resolution, adopted unanimously, orders the immediate withdrawal of over 15,000 personnel, to be completed by the end of the year. Mali's relations with the UN and Western nations have deteriorated since a 2020 military coup, with the junta aligning itself with Russia's paramilitary Wagner Group. The US has blamed Wagner Group's founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, for influencing the termination of the UN mission. Germany has announced an accelerated withdrawal of its troops, while Russia has promised support to Mali. The country continues to face significant security challenges, with militant groups controlling parts of the north and central regions.