Seven diplomatic and security sources say an agreement is near that would let Russian mercenaries into Mali, boosting Russian control over security operations in West Africa and provoking criticism from former colonial power France.
According to the sources, Paris has launched a diplomatic campaign to prevent the Mali military junta from adopting the agreement, which would allow Russian private military contractors, the Wagner Group, to operate in the former French territory.
At least 1,000 mercenaries could be involved, according to a European source tracking West Africa and a security source in the region. Two other sources said the figure was smaller but didn’t give any statistics.
The Wagner Group would be paid roughly 6 billion CFA francs ($10.8 million) per month, according to four sources. The mercenaries would train the Malian military and provide security for top leaders, according to a security source in the region.
Reporters were unable to ascertain how many mercenaries might be involved, how much they would be paid, or what the actual goal of any contract involving Russian mercenaries for Mali’s military junta would be.
The Wagner Group could not be reached for comment by reporters. Russian businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin, who has been linked to the Wagner Group by media publications, denies any ties to the company.
On the social networking site Vkontakte, his press office further claims that Prigozhin is unaffiliated with any private military enterprise has no commercial interests in Africa and is not participating in any activity there.
His press office did not respond to a request for comment on this story.
THREAT TO COUNTER-TERRORISM EFFORT POSSIBLE
According to diplomatic sources, France’s diplomatic strategy involves soliciting the assistance of allies, particularly the US, to persuade Mali’s junta not to proceed with the contract, as well as sending top officials to Moscow and Mali for discussions.
According to diplomatic sources, France is concerned that the arrival of Russian mercenaries will jeopardize its decade-old counter-terrorism operation in the Sahel region of West Africa against al Qaeda and Islamic State-linked insurgents at a time when it is attempting to reduce the size of its 5,000-strong Barkhane mission in order to reshape it with more European partners.
The French foreign ministry did not comment, but a diplomatic source in France criticized the Wagner Group’s activities in other countries.
“An intervention by this entity would thus be irreconcilable with Mali’s Sahelian and international allies involved in the Coalition for the Sahel’s initiatives for regional security and development,” the source said.
A spokesman for Mali’s junta, which took power in a military coup in August 2020, said he was unaware of any such agreement.
“This is only a rumor. Rumors are not addressed by officials “Baba Cisse, the spokesman, declined to say further.
According to a spokesperson for Mali’s defense ministry, “Given the current security situation in Mali, public opinion favors more collaboration with Russia. However, no decision has been made (on the nature of that cooperation).”
The Russian defense and foreign ministries, as well as the Kremlin and the French presidency, did not respond to demands for comment.
According to four security and diplomatic officials, the mercenaries’ presence would jeopardize Mali’s funding from international partners and allied training missions that have helped rebuild Mali’s army.
AFRICA’S RIVALRY
Russian mercenaries in Mali would bolster Russia’s desire for global reputation and influence, according to diplomatic sources, and would be part of a larger campaign to upend long-standing power relations in Africa.
More than a dozen people with ties to the Wagner Group have previously told reporters that the group has carried out clandestine combat missions in Ukraine, Libya, and Syria on behalf of the Kremlin. Wagner contractors are not carrying out orders, according to Russian officials.
The military junta in Mali has stated that it will oversee a democratic transition that will culminate in elections in February 2022.
Mali’s military junta has boosted links with Russia as relations with France have deteriorated, with Defense Minister Sadio Camara visiting Moscow and directing tank training on September 4.
The visit, according to a senior Malian defense ministry official, was “in the framework of collaboration and military support,” but no further details were provided. According to Russia’s defense ministry, deputy defense minister Alexander Fomin visited Camara at an international military symposium and “discussed defense cooperation projects in detail, as well as regional security issues relating to West Africa.” There were no further details provided.
Christophe Bigot, the French foreign ministry’s top Africa diplomat, was dispatched to Moscow on September 8 for discussions with Mikhail Bogdanov, Putin’s Middle East and Africa point man. The visit was confirmed by Russia’s foreign ministry.
The foreign ministry of France has declined to comment on the visit. Bigot could not be reached for comment. Request for comment to the Russian foreign ministry went unanswered.
