A fortnight of European countries Y Canada on Thursday condemned the deployment of mercenaries from the Russian paramilitary company Wagner in Mali and denounced that they have support of the Russian government.
“We strongly condemn the deployment of mercenaries on the territory of Mali”, Underline the signatory countries, including Germany, France and UK, while denouncing “The involvement of the government of the Russian Federation in providing material support for the deployment.”
In the statement, in addition, “they regret deeply”The choice of the Malian authorities to use “Already scarce public funds” to pay mercenaries foreign instead of supporting its armed forces in the fight against jihadist groups.
“This deployment can only further deteriorate the security situation in West Africa, lead to a worsening of the human rights situation in Mali (and) threaten the peace and reconciliation agreement in Mali ”.
“We are aware – he also warns – of the participation of the government of the Russian Federation in providing material support to the deployment of the Wagner group in Mali and We urge Russia to return to responsible and constructive behavior in the region ”.
Two weeks ago, The US was “alarmed” in view of the possible deployment in Mali of the Wagner Group, “Known for its activities destabilizing and their abuses of Human rights“, as “Will not bring peace” to the African country, for which he has urged the authorities to “Not divert scarce resources” to pay the Russian mercenaries.
The State Department spokesperson, Ned price, has indicated that the agreement that the Malian authorities would have signed with the group, linked to the Kremlin, “Diverts money that could be used to support Mali’s Armed Forces and public services”, to alert that the countries in which the group has already been deployed are “the poorest, weakest and least secure.”
Cases of Libya, Central African Republic, Ukraine Y Syria are examples of the “impact harmful”From Wagner’s presence, where he has“ fueled conflict and increased insecurity and instability, ”causing the deaths of local soldiers and civilians and undermining national sovereignty while depleting state resources, in Price’s words.
The Wagner group has caused controversy for its involvement in Syria, Libya, the Central African Republic and the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Mali is the epicenter of a jihadist insurgency which started in the north of the country in 2012 and it was extended three years later to the neighbors Niger Y Burkina faso.
Thousands of people across the region have died and about two million have been displaced. Despite the presence of French and UN troops, the conflict spread to neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger.
THE MINUSMA –United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali– began its deployment in the troubled state of the Sahel in 2013.
It has 16,500 personnel, of which 10,700 are soldiers, according to their website.
The UN affirms that the mission has suffered the highest number of fatalities of all its peacekeeping operations in the world, with hostile acts that have caused 146 deaths as of October 31.
(With information from AFP)
Keep reading:
The US says it is “alarmed” by the possible deployment of the Wagner Group in Mali, which “does not will bring peace “
Source-www.infobae.com