Western countries accuse Mali of deploying Russian mercenaries

Paris/Moscow – In the fight against terrorism, Mali has partnered with Wagner, a Russian company that supplies mercenaries. Sixteen Western nations, including France, have accused that the deployment of the Russian contracted troops could threaten stability and security in West Africa, including Mali. But Mali’s government has dismissed the allegations levelled by the western countries. The rebel military official colonel Assimi Goita, who is ruling the country, has denied the accusation of deployment of Russian mercenaries as baseless.

France had deployed 5,000 soldiers for a counter-terrorism action in the Sahel region, including Mali. The United States and other European countries also deployed their soldiers in the Sahel region and some other African countries. But the campaign of these western countries had not been very successful.

Even drone attacks and other military actions failed to deter the Al Qaeda and IS-affiliated terrorist gangs. It is claimed that instead, the terrorist organisations have become stronger. In this scenario, France and the United States had decided to reduce their military presence in the region.

Reports had been received that there was resentment in the people from the African countries, including Mali, regarding this decision of the western countries. They are accusing Western countries of looting them under the pretext of counter-terrorism campaigns. Criticism had also been made that the western countries are threatening the security of Mali by choosing not to fight terrorism. In this situation, Colonel Assimi Goita had contacted the Russian company Wagner, a mercenary supplier.

Two months ago, France and the United States had lashed out at the decision taken by Colonel Goita. The US administration had warned that taking assistance from a foreign power for the country’s internal security is not appropriate. Germany and the European Union had warned that the cooperation with Wagner would spoil the relations between Mali and the European Union. But Mali continued to cooperate with Wagner despite the warnings. Reports of senior officials from Wagner visiting Mali also had surfaced.

Against this background, two days ago, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada and 12 other European countries published a joint statement criticising the deployment of the mercenaries from Wagner. The western countries warned that this would threaten the peace and order in Mali. A few days before the warning, the European Union imposed sanctions against Wagner. But the government of Mali has objected to the allegations levelled by the western countries.

The Mali government has demanded that Western countries provide proof that the Wagner mercenaries are deployed in Mali. The current Mali government has announced that Russian military trainers are assisting the country’s military to strengthen the country’s security.