France, June 9 -- The Russian paramilitary group Wagner has left Mali and its units there have been taken over by the Moscow-run Africa Corps, diplomatic and security sources told journalists on Sunday.

The Russian paramilitary group Wagner is leaving Mali with its mercenaries after three and a half years of presence and is handing over to Africa Corps, another paramilitary group more firmly under the control of the Kremlin.

"Officially, Wagner is no longer present in Mali. But the Africa Corps is stepping up," one diplomatic source in the Sahel region cited in French news agency AFP, said.

A Telegram account affiliated with Wagner said: "Mission accomplished. PMC Wagner is going home."

In Bamako, none of the sources in official circl...