There is wide speculation that Prigozhin, who is presumed dead, was targeted for his uprising, although the Kremlin has denied involvement. The Kremlin still could face challenges in keeping the strong presence in Africa that Prigozhin helped establish. The junta reached out to Wagner, but the group’s response was unclear and there’s no visible presence of Russian mercenaries there — other than crowds waving Russian and Wagner flags at protests. Human Rights Watch says Mali’s army, together with suspected Wagner mercenaries, committed summary executions, looting, forced disappearances and other abuses. Also Read Mercenary chief Prigozhin is presumed to have died in a plane crash seen as the Kremlin’s revenge
