FILE PHOTO: French soldiers work on a Tiger attack helicopter at the Operational Desert Plateform Camp (PfOD) during the Operation Barkhane in Gao
Reuters: French minister in Mali to pressure junta over Russian mercenaries
BAMAKO (Reuters) -France's Armed Forces Minister arrived in Mali on Sunday to pressure the military junta to end talks to bring Russian mercenaries into the country and push it to keep a promise to return the country to constitutional order in February.
Diplomatic and security sources have told Reuters that Mali's year-old military junta is close to recruiting the Russian Wagner Group, and France has launched a diplomatic drive to thwart it, saying such an arrangement is "incompatible" with a continued French presence.
West Africa's main political bloc, ECOWAS, as well as other allies combating militants in the Sahel region, have also expressed concerns over the potential deal.
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Update: France and Russia make a stand over which country will have the greater influence in Mali (France 24)
WNU Editor: The Mali government has responded .... Mali says it can seek military help from anyone, despite French concern (Reuters). More here .... Mali bristles over warnings not to hire Russian 'mercenaries' (AFP), and here .... Mali's Junta Dismisses Warnings Not To Hire Russia's Wagner 'Mercenaries' (RFE).
4 comments:
The Mali and Guinea have had military coups and Mali talking to Russians is France's greatest fear?
I would judge the France had a valid point if between Malian and French troops had Al Qaeda in the Mahgreb was under control, but they do not. I do not like Russian troops in Mali as I do not know which side they will fall, if China goes to war. However, I see Al Qaeda as the greater threat.
Back in 1986 Chad and France took care of Libyan encroachment. The French military is smaller, they are not getting the job done, and the French leader is unimpressive.
Macron's France is.....as good as Zambia.
Macron has a nice wispy grey beard.
Macron has told Mali he will withdraw French troops in 2022. So why is he complaining?
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