The government of Mali denies that Russian mercenaries are active in the country. Earlier this week, the Netherlands, Canada and France, among others, condemned the use of the mercenaries. The countries accused Russia of providing support to the controversial mercenary company Wagner, which analysts say has close ties to the Russian army and the Kremlin.
Government spokesman Abdoulaye Maiga denies in a statement that “elements of a private security organization” are present in Mali. According to him, there are “Russian trainers” in the West African country, but that is part of an agreement between Russia and Mali. However, it is unclear who the Russian trainers are and what exactly they do in Mali.
There have been warnings for months about Wagner’s presence in Mali. French sources report to AFP news agency that several Wagner officials have been seen in the Malian capital Bamako. Russian geologists with ties to Wagner have also been spotted in Bamako.
House of Representatives concerned
The Netherlands sent a Hercules transport plane to Mali last month. The aircraft is used for the UN mission Minusma, which is intended to improve security and stability in the country. The country is known as a breeding ground for violent extremists. A large parliamentary majority supported the effort, but had concerns about Wagner’s presence.
Outgoing Minister Knapen (Foreign Affairs) said in parliament that he understood those concerns. “Of course it cannot be the case that the Wagner group can produce so much instability in Mali for a few grabs that we all suffer from it,” he said.
The Wagner group is accused of, among other things, human rights violations and corruption. Russian President Putin has said the group is not a representative of the Russian state, but private military companies have the right to operate anywhere as long as they do not break Russian law.
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