October 02, (THEWILL) – Mali’s discussions with a controversial Russian private military company, the Wagner Group, has sparked concerns in some nations.
However, many Malians themselves are eager to see the Russians replace French troops.
The Wagner Group first came to the limelight in 2014 when it backed pro-Russian separatists in the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
Since then, it has been involved in countries including Syria, Mozambique, Sudan, Libya and the Central African Republic.
Back in 2013, there was a jubilant welcome for the French soldiers when they arrived in Mali after Islamist militants had hijacked a rebellion and threatened to seize control of the whole country.
However, President Emmanuel Macron recently said the 5,000-strong French contingent would be reduced by half, prompting Mali’s Prime Minister Choguel Maiga to accuse France of abandoning his country.
This in turn sparked a furious response from France, with Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly accusing Mali’s government of “wiping your feet on the blood of French soldiers.”
Macron said he was “shocked” at the accusation, condemning Mali’s military government, which he said had no “democratic legitimacy” following two coups in less than a year.
Nevertheless, public opinion in Mali has undoubtedly turned against the presence of troops from the former colonial power.
Eight years after the French arrived, the security crisis has spread to Burkina Faso and Niger, with numerous different groups, some linked to al-Qaeda or the Islamic State group, roaming the region from their bases in the Sahara Desert.
About 55 French soldiers and several hundreds of Malians have been killed.
Enraged by the deepening insecurity, Malians hold regular protests against the French military and accuse them of failing to make any difference in the fight against the jihadists. They call the presence of French soldiers an occupation, and demand their speedy exit.
Many are happy for the Russians to replace them.
Oumar Cissé, a prominent peace campaigner in the restive Mopti region, said Russia was a historical partner of the Malian army.
“Russia has no interest in Malian politics unlike France, which manages the conflict according to its economic and political interests,” he said.
Some activists say the presence of the French forces itself was a catalyst of the jihadist violence. France has long opposed negotiations with jihadists, an option favoured by some Malians.
There have been no public protests against Russia but public opinion towards the proposed intervention from Wagner is divided.
The Coordination of the Movements of the Azawad (CMA), a coalition of former Arab and Tuareg rebels in northern Mali, said working with the Russians would be a threat to their 2015 peace deal.
The international consternation over a deal with Wagner is linked to the shadowy reputation of the mercenary organisation.
The Russian government’s denial of links to the group is also treated with suspicion.
