France threatened to withdraw troops from Mali if Wagner PMC enters the country
The emergence of mercenaries from the private military company PMC Wagner on the territory of Mali will lead to the fact that France will withdraw its military from the country. This threat was made by French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Foreign Minister, French television reported.
Paris reacted to the information that appeared that the Malian authorities are negotiating with the Wagner PMC to conclude a contract, under which PMC instructors will begin training the Malian army. The French authorities recognized the presence of both "French military" and "Russian mercenaries" on the territory of the country unacceptable.
The first to express his indignation was French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, who threatened to withdraw the entire French military contingent from Mali. Secretary of Defense Florence Parley echoed him, calling this neighborhood "extremely disturbing and contradictory."
Meanwhile, the government of Mali admitted the alleged fact of negotiations with the Wagner PMC, but stated that no agreements had yet been signed. It is clarified that the mercenaries were supposed not only to train the soldiers of the Malian army, but also to ensure the safety of the country's leaders. For this, it was planned to invite up to 1 Wagnerites to the country.
It is worth noting that the so-called Wagner PMC has become a kind of "horror story" for the West. Its presence is announced in almost every hot spot - from Mali and Libya to Syria and Iraq.
Note that Mali is one of the poorest countries in Africa, part of which is controlled by Islamic groups. France has been keeping its military contingent in the country for quite a long time, claiming that it is fighting the Islamists. Despite the losses and the closure of several military bases, Paris is not going to finally withdraw its military contingent, and the reason here is not a desire to help the legitimate government, but in the impressive reserves of minerals, primarily gold.
Earlier in Paris, they have already spoken out against the presence of Moscow in Mali, saying that Russia's actions are "destabilizing", citing Ukraine as an example. Comments, as they say, are superfluous.
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