Mali approaches ‘Russian private companies’

BAMAKO - Mali has asked private Russian companies to boost security, Russia's Foreign minister confirmed at the weekend, as the Malian leader accused France of abandoning the conflict-ridden country by preparing a large troop drawdown.

European countries have warned the Malian government on the side-lines of the UN General Assembly against hiring paramilitaries from the controversial Wagner group.

But with Paris set to reduce its military presence in Mali, Sergey Lavrov told reporters that the Malian government was turning toward "private

Russian companies."

"This is an activity which has been carried out on a legitimate basis," he said during a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York.

"We have nothing to do with that," he added, saying the Malian government estimated that "its own capacities would be insufficient in the absence of external support" and initiated the discussions.

According to reports, Mali's army-dominated government in Bamako is close to hiring 1, 000 Wagner paramilitaries.

France has warned Mali that hiring the fighters from the Russian private-security firm would isolate the country internationally.

But Mali Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga accused France of abandoning his country with the "unilateral" decision to withdraw troops as he addressed the UN General Assembly.

He said his government was justified to "seek other partners" to boost security and slammed a "lack of consultation" by the French.

The Wagner group is considered close to Russian President Vladimir Putin and

Western countries accuse it of acting on behalf of Moscow.

Russian paramilitaries, private-security instructors and companies have grown increasingly influential in Africa in recent years, particularly in the conflict-ridden Central African Republic, where the UN has accused Wagner contractors of committing abuses.

Moscow admits having deployed "instructors" to CAR but says they aren't active in fighting. Russia insists there are no paramilitaries in Libya, despite Western claims to the contrary.