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Le Drian says the Russian company Wagner is using the country’s resources to protect the military.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian criticizes Russian military contractor Wagner Group seizing Mali’s wealth internally escalating conflicts between Paris and the country’s military in recent weeks, as well as the future of European troops deployed in the region to fight the militant forces.
The U.S. military said last week that hundreds of Wagner people were in the Sahel, but that the ruling party has denied the allegations.
Relations between the two countries have deteriorated since the Malian army led by Colonel Assimi Goita. he conspired in August 2020.
The former French colonial administration has thousands of troops deployed in the Sahel, which has been battling terrorist attacks since 2012.
Wagner’s troops are “former Russian soldiers, armed with Russian weapons and with Russian troops,” said Le Drian.
“They are currently assisting the country’s economy to protect the armed forces. They are destroying Mali, “he told the Journal du Dimanche in a statement published Sunday.
The United Nations, France and local groups say the Wagner Group is also in the Central African Republic.
“Wagner uses the weakness of other countries to establish itself … to strengthen Russia’s influence in Africa,” Le Drian added, although he said he did not want to replace Europeans in the region.
The French Foreign Minister did not say what would happen to a European military force sent to the region to deal with the aftermath of Mali’s rule. chasing the Danish army this week.
“We’re talking to our colleagues to see what the answer is,” Le Drian said.
“Our fight against terrorism must continue – but perhaps in a different way,” he added.
Asked if this meant leaving Mali, he replied: “I did not say that.”
On Friday, Mali’s foreign minister Abdoulaye Diop said the country’s military regime was “not restricting anything” in terms of relations with France.
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