Mali and Russia reaffirm their military cooperation, “without Wagner”

Published on : 11/11/2021 – 16:22

The heads of Russian and Malian diplomacy reaffirmed, Thursday, November 11, their willingness to continue the military partnership between the two countries. A rapprochement that they legitimize by a reinforced terrorist risk due to the partial withdrawal of French troops.

“Whenever Mali has been in difficult situations since our independence, Russia has always been with us,” Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop said during negotiations in Moscow. “We are in a difficult situation and we are still looking to this friend so that he can help us out,” he continued, adding that “up to 80%” of his country’s military equipment is of Russian origin.

His counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, indicated that Moscow would continue to deliver “equipment, ammunition, armaments” and to train Malian officers so that Bamako can defend itself “effectively” against the terrorist threat.

Terrorists “more at ease” in northern Mali since the French withdrawal

In recent months, relations between France, a former colonial power and historic partner, and Mali have deteriorated, after a new coup in Bamako.

In the process, Paris undertook, in June, to reorganize its military system in the Sahel, in particular by leaving its three bases in the north of Mali to refocus it around Gao and Ménaka, on the borders of Niger and Burkina Faso. This plan also provides for a reduction of the workforce, from more than 5,000 at present, to 2,500-3,000 by 2023.

With this announced withdrawal, “terrorists are feeling more and more at ease” in northern Mali, Sergei Lavrov argued on Thursday.

Mali and Russia deny any contract with the Wagner group

Sergey Lavrov and Abdoulaye Diop have also denied any contract between Bamako and private Russian military companies, a possibility that worries Paris. “No contract has been signed in this sector,” said the Malian minister, according to his words translated into Russian, adding that these allegations were aimed at discrediting Bamako.

According to Sergey Lavrov, Moscow does not intervene in the activities of these “structures created by Russian citizens who conclude their contracts themselves”.

Russian mercenaries, notably from the Wagner group, have been reported in recent years in Syria and Africa. Westerners accuse them of serving the interests of Moscow, under cover of private activities, which the Kremlin denies.

With AFP