· Amid the political uncertainty surrounding the military regime of Mali, Russian private military contractor Wagner Group is allegedly plundering Mali’s resources.
· The allegations were raised by France’s foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.
Amid the political uncertainty surrounding the military regime of Mali, Russian private military contractor Wagner Group is allegedly plundering Mali’s resources. The allegations were raised by France’s foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.
It is reported that there are heightened tensions between France and the military regime of Mali. Since August 2020, relations between the two countries have deteriorated sharply after Mali’s army staged a coup and took over the government. France, the former colonial power has deployed thousands of troops in the Sahel state.
There are also uncertainties over the fate of European forces deployed in the region to fight armed groups. The US army also reported last week that hundreds of Wagner personnel were in Mali. The Wagner mercenaries are said to be former Russian soldiers, armed by Russia and supported by Russian logistics. Le Drian said that Wagner exploits the weakness of certain states to position itself in the country and help themselves to the country’s resources in exchange for protecting the junta and strengthening Russia’s influence in Africa. According to the United Nations, France and local groups the Wagner Group has established their presence in the Central African Republic also.
