(West Africa)
· With France’s decision to reduce its military presence in the Sahel region, the Malian government has stated that it is constrained and compelled to seek external support to fight terrorist insurgence in the region.
· France had deployed more than 5,000 soldiers in the Sahel region under its Barkhane mission but has announced a major troop withdrawal in the coming months.
With France’s decision to reduce its military presence in the Sahel region, the Malian government has stated that it is constrained and compelled to seek external support to fight terrorist insurgence in the region. France had deployed more than 5,000 soldiers in the Sahel region under its Barkhane mission but has announced a major troop withdrawal in the coming months.
It has been reported that Mali’s military-dominated government in Bamako has sought the help of Russian private companies to boost security in the conflict-torn country. It is also reported that the transitional government in Mali is close to hiring 1,000 Wagner paramilitaries to help it in the fight against armed groups. European Union foreign policy Chief Josep Borrell warned that the EU’s ties with Mali could be seriously impacted if Mali hires Russian private military contractors from the controversial Wagner Group to operate in the country. Germany, which has deployed troops in Mali, also cautioned the Mali government that it will reconsider its deployment if the Malian government hires the Wagner.
There has been an increasing presence of Russian paramilitaries, private security instructors, and companies in parts of Africa in recent years, particularly in the conflict-ridden Central African Republic (CAR), raising international concerns.
