Published on :
Meeting in Moscow, the Malian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdoulaye Diop and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, on Thursday denied any contract with the Russian militia group Wagner. On the other hand, they linked the military rapprochement between their countries to the withdrawal of French troops in northern Mali, which had fostered the terrorist risk.
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
Download Alima Sesay – Go Back Album Mp3 Zip
Download Artifacts – …And then there’s this (feat. Nicole Mitchell, Tomeka Reid & Mike Reed) Album Mp3 Zip
Download Manuel Rocca – Levitated Radio 131 Album Mp3 Zip
Download Shadowland – The Necromancer’s Castle Album Mp3 Zip
Download Christoph Bauschinger – Brassic (Original Soundtrack) Album Mp3 Zip
Download Sailor Quit – Sailor Quit Change Album Mp3 Zip
Download Solo Noho – Golden Zoo Attack Album Mp3 Zip
Download New Daily Fore – Trip Slipper Rip Album Mp3 Zip
Download Warlord – And the Cannons of Destruction Have Begun Album Mp3 Zip
Download Mary Ann Tedstone Glover – The Music of Ancient Rome Album Mp3 Zip
Download Garden Music – Songs for the Weary (Live) Album Mp3 Zip
Download Chilled Cow – Tape Of Precocious Girl – EP Album Mp3 Zip
Download The Ear – В каждой из трещин Album Mp3 Zip
Download Night Prowler – No Escape… Album Mp3 Zip
Download Robbie Holder – Strong in All the Broken Places Album Mp3 Zip
Download Mary Mortem – Apathetic Passionate Album Mp3 Zip
Download Asphyx – Collection Ep Album Mp3 Zip
Download Hawkbaby – Stupid Music for Stupid People Album Mp3 Zip
Download Various Artists – Just the Hits 2021 Album Mp3 Zip
Download The Amal – Amal Album Mp3 Zip
Download Jeff, Digi-Forest & Kylian – Lo-Fi, Vol. 1, KineMaster Music Collection Album Mp3 Zip
Download Verschiedene Interpreten – Annual 2021 Album Mp3 Zip
Download Verschiedene Interpreten – Épocas Doradas Album Mp3 Zip
Download Hits Over Time – Ready For the Weekend – EP Album Mp3 Zip
Download Buta – Vjeshte / Dimer ’18 Album Mp3 Zip