Article

2022-01-30 Africa Subsaharan

French FM accuses Russian mercenaries of ‘despoiling' Mali

[Aljazeera] France’s foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has accused Russian private military contractor Wagner Group of plundering Mali’s resources amid heightened tensions between Paris and the country’s military government in recent weeks, including over the fate of European forces deployed in the region to fight armed groups.

The US army last week estimated hundreds of Wagner personnel were in the Sahel state, but the country’s ruling army has denied this.

Relations between the two countries have deteriorated sharply since Mali’s army led by Colonel Assimi Goita staged a coup in August 2020.

Former colonial power France has thousands of troops deployed in the Sahel state, which has been struggling to contain a rebellion that first emerged in 2012.

The Wagner mercenaries are "former Russian soldiers, armed by Russia and accompanied by Russian logistics", Le Drian said.

"They are already at the moment helping themselves to the country’s resources in exchange for protecting the junta. They are despoiling Mali," he told the Journal du Dimanche newspaper in remarks published on Sunday.

The United Nations, France and local groups say the Wagner Group is also present in the Central African Republic.

"Wagner uses the weakness of certain states to implant itself... to reinforce Russia’s influence in Africa," Le Drian added, though he said it did not seek to replace the Europeans in the region.

Posted by Besoeker 2022-01-30 08:39|| || Front Page|| [21 views ] Top

#1 "This is our country to despoil! How dare you encroach on our turf!"

Say, did you know the French franc still exists? Yup! But only in Africa. France takes the proceeds from several African countries and sells it back to them using French money. One of the "rules" of the currency is that the central banks of all of the nations involved have to keep at least 50% of their foreign assets in the French Treasury. It makes them dependent on France and unable to get away and pursue policies that are in their own interests. What a scam! No wonder France is getting snippy about outsiders, they might take this hugely profitable grift away!

Posted by Sheter the Lesser9291 2022-01-30 09:26|| 2022-01-30 09:26|| Front Page Top

#2 Given the robber baron approach of so many who overthrow African governments, keeping a portion of the treasury in French hands increases the possibility that at least some of the nation’s wealth will be used for the benefit of the citizenry.

Posted by trailing wife 2022-01-30 09:56|| 2022-01-30 09:56|| Front Page Top

#3 yeah they closed all the animal brothels!

Posted by Greng Black3494 2022-01-30 15:19|| 2022-01-30 15:19|| Front Page Top

#4 How can you tell?

Posted by ed in texas 2022-01-30 19:07|| 2022-01-30 19:07|| Front Page Top

#5 It's not used for the benefit of the citizenry. It's used for the benefit of France. Why do you think they defend their possessions so fiercely? France would go broke without robbing Africa.

Posted by Sheter the Lesser9291 2022-01-30 20:34|| 2022-01-30 20:34|| Front Page Top

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