Mali cuts diplomatic ties with Ukraine amid Wagner Group defeat
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Mali cuts diplomatic ties with Ukraine amid Wagner Group defeat

Firstpost  

Mali cited comments from Ukraine’s Ambassador to Senegal, Yurii Pyvovarov, who, in a Facebook video, expressed support for the rebels’ actions Mali has announced it is severing diplomatic relations with Ukraine following accusations that Kyiv played a role in a major defeat for Russia’s Wagner mercenary group and Malian soldiers. Mali’s reaction Mali expressed “deep shock” at Yusov’s comments, interpreting them as an admission of Ukraine’s involvement in a “cowardly, treacherous and barbaric attack” that resulted in Malian and Russian casualties. Controversial support Mali also cited comments from Ukraine’s Ambassador to Senegal, Yurii Pyvovarov, who, in a Facebook video, expressed support for the rebels’ actions. Russian support for Mali In response to Mali’s situation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reaffirmed support for Bamako during a recent call with Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop.

Support Ukraine Russia Russian Wagner Mali Senegal Malian Pyvovarov  ukraine  wagners  support  russian  ukraines  amid  malian  wagner  rebels  senegal  mali  malis  defeat  group  diplomatic  cuts  ties

History of this topic

At least 6 mercenaries with Russia’s Wagner group killed in an extremist attack in Mali
1 month ago

At least 6 mercenaries with Russia’s Wagner group killed in an extremist attack in Mali

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — At least six Russian mercenaries were killed in an attack by an al-Qaida-linked group in central Mali, according to a statement by the extremists on its media platform. The group, known by its acronym, JNIM, said it ambushed a convoy of mercenaries working for the Wagner Group on Thursday in the Mopti region, killing fighters and burning …

Mali severs diplomatic relations with Ukraine for providing intelligence to rebels
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Mali severs diplomatic relations with Ukraine for providing intelligence to rebels

CNN  

CNN — Mali has severed diplomatic ties with Ukraine after the country supplied intelligence to Malian rebels involved in an ambush against Wagner Group forces in July. “The transitional government of the Republic of Mali condemns the hostility of the authorities of Ukraine who do not observe that Mali has always called for a peaceful settlement of the crisis between …

Al Qaeda ambush in Mali, 50 Russian Wagner mercenaries reported killed
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Al Qaeda ambush in Mali, 50 Russian Wagner mercenaries reported killed

Firstpost  

The Malian army and Wagner forces were ambushed after they withdrew from Tinzaouaten, which they had tried to seize from Tuareg-led separatists An al Qaeda affiliate said it killed 50 Russian Wagner mercenaries and 10 Malian soldiers in an ambush in Mali’s northern Kidal region near the border with Algeria on Saturday, according to the SITE Intelligence Group. Mali, where …

Russia’s Wagner has deadliest loss in Africa’s Sahel, highlighting the region’s instability
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Russia’s Wagner has deadliest loss in Africa’s Sahel, highlighting the region’s instability

Associated Press  

ABUJA, Nigeria — Dozens of Wagner mercenaries were killed by jihadis and rebels over the weekend in northern Mali in what one analyst described on Monday as the largest battleground blow to the shadowy Russian group in years. Approximately 50 Wagner fighters in a convoy were killed in an al-Qaida ambush, which was joined by rebels who were in pursuit, …

Mali rebels say they killed and injured dozens of soldiers, Wagner mercenaries in fighting
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Mali rebels say they killed and injured dozens of soldiers, Wagner mercenaries in fighting

Hindustan Times  

BAMAKO, - Mali's northern Tuareg rebels said they had killed and injured dozens of soldiers and Wagner mercenaries in two days of fighting near the Algerian border, after the army said it had lost two soldiers but killed some 20 rebels. Mali rebels say they killed and injured dozens of soldiers, Wagner mercenaries in fighting The rebel movement, the Permanent …

Mali separatists claim major victory over army, Russian allies
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Mali separatists claim major victory over army, Russian allies

New Indian Express  

SENEGAL: Tuareg separatist coalition, a major ethnic group in Mali, claimed on Sunday a major victory over the Malian army and its Russian allies following three days of intense fighting in Tinzaouatene district on the Algerian border. Others have surrendered and the Malian army has retreated," a local politician told AFP, citing at least 17 dead in a provisional toll. …

Mali rebels claim major victory over army, Russia’s Wagner group
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Mali rebels claim major victory over army, Russia’s Wagner group

Al Jazeera  

Tuareg separatists say they ‘obliterated’ enemy columns and seized a large amount of equipment and weapons. A mainly Tuareg separatist coalition has claimed a major victory over Mali’s army and its Russian allies following three days of intense fighting in a district on the Algerian border. Mali’s military rulers, led by Colonel Assimi Goita, took power in 2020 and turned …

After Wagner chief death, Russia vows to keep helping Mali
1 year, 3 months ago

After Wagner chief death, Russia vows to keep helping Mali

The Hindu  

Russia pledged at the United Nations on August 28 to keep providing "comprehensive assistance" to Mali, where about 1,000 fighters with Russia's Wagner mercenary group are helping the West African state's junta fight an Islamist insurgency. Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy said that bilateral cooperation between Russia and Mali and the military junta's "sovereign choice" of international security partners "are keeping our …

Mali’s army and suspected Russia-linked mercenaries committed ‘new atrocities,’ rights group says
1 year, 5 months ago

Mali’s army and suspected Russia-linked mercenaries committed ‘new atrocities,’ rights group says

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — Mali’s army together with suspected mercenaries from the shadowy Russian group Wagner have committed summary executions, lootings, forced disappearances and other abuses, a leading human rights group reported Monday. The human rights group interviewed 40 people by phone, including witnesses, and reviewed a video “showing evidence of abuses by Malian soldiers and associated foreign fighters.” HRW said …

Future of Wagner contracts up to African states: Russia’s Lavrov
1 year, 5 months ago

Future of Wagner contracts up to African states: Russia’s Lavrov

Al Jazeera  

Saturday’s attempted mutiny in Russia has led to speculation about the status of Wagner operatives in the Central African Republic and elsewhere in Africa. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said the future of contracts signed between various African countries and the Wagner mercenary group was a matter for those governments who had concluded such agreements. Speaking at a news …

Russian militia maintains ruthless role in Africa after failed rebellion
1 year, 5 months ago

Russian militia maintains ruthless role in Africa after failed rebellion

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “The situation is extremely volatile," said Nathalia Dukhan, senior …

Wagner revolt in Russia dims outlook for its operations in Africa
1 year, 6 months ago

Wagner revolt in Russia dims outlook for its operations in Africa

Al Jazeera  

Mali and CAR sought closer ties with Russia and military support to fight armed groups in both countries. A revolt by the Wagner force in Russia poses a diplomatic quandary for Mali and Central African Republic, where forces from the mercenary group have played an increasingly central role in long-running internal conflicts. Wagner’s continued presence in Mali amid the continuing …

US says Russia’s Wagner force eyes Mali as route for war supplies
1 year, 7 months ago

US says Russia’s Wagner force eyes Mali as route for war supplies

Al Jazeera  

Russian mercenary force said to be willing to falsify paperwork to use Mali as transit point for Ukraine war equipment. Russia’s Wagner mercenary force has attempted to hide efforts to obtain military equipment internationally for use in the war in Ukraine and is seeking to transit such supplies through Mali, the United States State Department said. “We have been informed …

Russia pledges military support to Mali during Lavrov visit
1 year, 10 months ago

Russia pledges military support to Mali during Lavrov visit

Associated Press  

BAMAKO, Mali — Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov pledged military support to Mali during his first visit to the West African nation Tuesday and dismissed criticism of Moscow’s growing influence on the continent. Lavrov’s trip to Bamako, Mali’s capital, comes as Western countries express their concerns about alleged human rights abuses committed by Russian mercenaries working for the private military …

Mali defends Russian ties and opposes options for UN force
1 year, 10 months ago

Mali defends Russian ties and opposes options for UN force

Associated Press  

UNITED NATIONS — Mali’s foreign minister defended the military government’s cooperation with Russia on Friday and rejected three options proposed by the U.N. chief to reconfigure the U.N. peacekeeping force in the west African country where Al-Qaida and Islamic State extremist groups are driving insecurity. But Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ internal review released this week of the 17,500-strong U.N. mission, known …

Shrouded in secrecy for years, Russia’s Wagner Group opens up
2 years, 4 months ago

Shrouded in secrecy for years, Russia’s Wagner Group opens up

Al Jazeera  

The mysterious network of mercenaries is embracing an ever-public image as the war on Ukraine drags on. “Mercenaries have no official status, so they don’t have the same rights or guarantees as an official representative of the armed forces, and payment is only after completing a mission,” Marat Gabidullin told Al Jazeera. “It’s always been a part of either military …

Al-Qaida-linked group in Mali says it has captured Russians
2 years, 7 months ago

Al-Qaida-linked group in Mali says it has captured Russians

Associated Press  

BAMAKO, Mali — Islamic extremist rebels in Mali linked to al-Qaida said they have captured mercenary fighters from Russia’s Wagner Group in fighting earlier this month. The Wagner Group fighters were seized in the first week of April in the mountainous Segou region of central Mali, said the JNIM statement, which called the fighters “criminals.” Since the beginning of the …

UN demands Mali allow peacekeepers into town where 300 died
2 years, 8 months ago

UN demands Mali allow peacekeepers into town where 300 died

Associated Press  

UNITED NATIONS — The top U.N. envoy in Mali demanded Thursday that the country’s military leaders allow U.N. peacekeepers to visit a town where Human Rights Watch says the Malian army and foreign soldiers suspected to be Russian recently killed an estimated 300 men, one of several alleged rights abuses denounced by the U.S., Britain and France. Ambassador Nicolas De …

Mali and France, a timeline of mounting tensions
2 years, 10 months ago

Mali and France, a timeline of mounting tensions

Al Jazeera  

As the standoff between Bamako and Paris continues, here’s a timeline of key recent events. On June 10, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a major “transformation” and drawdown of France’s military presence in the Sahel where about 5,100 soldiers – across Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger – operate under its Barkhane operation. Later that day, Mali’s Foreign Minister …

France: Russia is funding Wagner Group mercenaries in Mali
3 years ago

France: Russia is funding Wagner Group mercenaries in Mali

Associated Press  

NICE, France — France on Thursday condemned the Malian transitional authorities’ decision to allow the deployment of the Wagner Group, and accused Moscow of funding the private military company’s use of mercenaries in the West African country. “We are aware of the involvement of the Russian government in providing material support to the deployment of the Wagner group in Mali,” …

Mali approached Russian military company for help: Lavrov
3 years, 2 months ago

Mali approached Russian military company for help: Lavrov

Al Jazeera  

Mali has asked Russian private companies to boost security in the conflict-torn country, Moscow confirmed as the Malian leader accused France of abandoning Bamako by preparing a large troop drawdown. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Saturday private Russian military contractors have a “legitimate” right to be in Mali because they were invited by the country’s transitional government – …

Talk of Wagner mercenary deal shines light on Mali power politics
3 years, 3 months ago

Talk of Wagner mercenary deal shines light on Mali power politics

Al Jazeera  

Possible deal with private security firm reflects ongoing political shift in Mali and changing dynamics in its ties with two powers, Russia and France. Experts have said that such a deal between Mali’s military-led government and the private security firm to hire nearly 1,000 mercenaries would increase Moscow’s influence while undermining French-led operations against armed groups operating in the country …

France warns Mali against Russian Wagner mercenary deal
3 years, 3 months ago

France warns Mali against Russian Wagner mercenary deal

Al Jazeera  

Deal could push relations between France and Mali to breaking point, and underscore growing Russia influence in region. French Defence Minister Florence Parly has warned Mali against a deal with Russian private security group Wagner amid claims the country’s military government is close to hiring 1,000 mercenaries. “We haven’t signed anything with Wagner, but we are talking with everyone.” Four …

Discover Related