FILE PHOTO: French soldiers work on a Tiger attack helicopter at the Operational Desert Plateform Camp (PfOD) during the Operation Barkhane in Gao
Reuters: French minister in Mali to pressure junta over Russian mercenaries
BAMAKO (Reuters) -France's Armed Forces Minister arrived in Mali on Sunday to pressure the military junta to end talks to bring Russian mercenaries into the country and push it to keep a promise to return the country to constitutional order in February.
Diplomatic and security sources have told Reuters that Mali's year-old military junta is close to recruiting the Russian Wagner Group, and France has launched a diplomatic drive to thwart it, saying such an arrangement is "incompatible" with a continued French presence.
West Africa's main political bloc, ECOWAS, as well as other allies combating militants in the Sahel region, have also expressed concerns over the potential deal.
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Update: France and Russia make a stand over which country will have the greater influence in Mali (France 24)
WNU Editor: The Mali government has responded .... Mali says it can seek military help from anyone, despite French concern (Reuters). More here .... Mali bristles over warnings not to hire Russian 'mercenaries' (AFP), and here .... Mali's Junta Dismisses Warnings Not To Hire Russia's Wagner 'Mercenaries' (RFE).
