Russian moves in Mali

Following the US organised (likely) overthrow in Guinea we get this.

Prof. Michael Tanchum
@michaeltanchum
·
14 Sep
"Deal allowing Russian mercenaries into Mali is close"

Wagner PMC to get $10.8 million/mo. to protect regime

Will Mali give Russia #mining concessions to cover the  cost?  -- especially if the initial deployment needs to be expanded?

This map will need to be updated. Also I thought the Russians were getting a base on the Red Sea.

From Reuters

Summary

Deal allowing Russian mercenaries into Mali close- sources
Paris wants to prevent deal being enacted, sources say
At least 1,000 mercenaries could be involved - two sources

PARIS, Sept 13 (Reuters) - A deal is close that would allow Russian mercenaries into Mali, extending Russian influence over security affairs in West Africa and triggering opposition from former colonial power France, seven diplomatic and security sources said.

Paris has begun a diplomatic drive to prevent the military junta in Mali enacting the deal, which would permit Russian private military contractors, the Wagner Group, to operate in the former French colony, the sources said.

A European source who tracks West Africa and a security source in the region said at least 1,000 mercenaries could be involved. Two other sources believed the number was lower, but did not provide figures.

Four sources said the Wagner Group would be paid about 6 billion CFA francs ($10.8 million) a month for its services. One security source working in the region said the mercenaries would train Malian military and provide protection for senior officials.

Reuters could not confirm independently how many mercenaries could be involved, how much they would be compensated, or establish the exact objective of any deal involving Russian mercenaries would be for Mali's military junta.

Reuters was unable to reach the Wagner Group for comment. Russian businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin, who media outlets including Reuters have linked to the Wagner Group, denies any connection to the firm.

His press service also says on its social networking site Vkontakte that Prigozhin has nothing to do with any private military company, has no business interests in Africa and is not involved in any activities there.

His press service did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment for this story.

POTENTIAL THREAT TO COUNTER-TERRORISM EFFORT

France's diplomatic offensive, the diplomatic sources said, includes enlisting the help of partners including the United States to persuade Mali's junta not to press ahead with the deal, and sending senior diplomats to Moscow and Mali for talks.

France is worried the arrival of Russian mercenaries would undermine its decade-old counter-terrorism operation against al Qaeda and Islamic State-linked insurgents in the Sahel region of West Africa at a time when it is seeking to draw down its 5,000-strong Barkhane mission to reshape it with more European partners, the diplomatic sources said.

The French foreign ministry also did not respond but a French diplomatic source criticised interventions by the Wagner Group in other countries.

"An intervention by this actor would therefore be incompatible with the efforts carried out by Mali’s Sahelian and international partners engaged in the Coalition for the Sahel for security and development of the region," the source said.

A spokesperson for the leader of Mali's junta, which took power in a military coup in August 2020, said he had no information about such a deal.

"These are rumours. Officials don't comment on rumours," said the spokesperson, Baba Cisse, who declined further comment.

Mali's defence ministry spokesperson said: "Public opinion in Mali is in favour of more cooperation with Russia given the ongoing security situation. But no decision (on the nature of that cooperation) has been made."

Russia's defence and foreign ministries did not respond to requests for comment, nor did the Kremlin or the French presidency.

The mercenaries' presence would jeopardise Mali's funding from the international partners and allied training missions that have helped rebuild Mali's army, four security and diplomatic sources said.

RIVALRY IN AFRICA

Having Russian mercenaries in Mali would strengthen Russia's push for global prestige and influence, and be part of a wider campaign to shake up long-standing power dynamics in Africa, the diplomatic sources said.

More than a dozen People with ties to the Wagner Group have previously told Reuters it has carried out clandestine combat missions on the Kremlin’s behalf in Ukraine, Libya and Syria. Russian authorities deny Wagner contractors carry out their orders.

Mali's military junta has said it will oversee a transition to democracy leading to elections in February 2022.

As relations with France have worsened, Mali's military junta has increased contacts with Russia, including Defence Minister Sadio Camara visiting Moscow and overseeing tank exercises on Sept. 4.

A senior Malian defence ministry source said the visit was in "the framework of cooperation and military assistance" and gave no further details. Russia's defence ministry said deputy defence minister Alexander Fomin had met Camara during an international military forum and "discussed defence cooperation projects in detail as well as regional security matters related to West Africa." No further details were released.

The French foreign ministry's top Africa diplomat, Christophe Bigot, was dispatched to Moscow for talks on Sept. 8 with Mikhail Bogdanov, Putin’s point person on the Middle East and Africa. Russia's foreign ministry confirmed the visit.

France's foreign ministry declined to comment on the visit. Bigot could not immediately be reached for comment. The Russian foreign ministry did not respond to a Reuters request for comment from Bogdanov.

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/exclusive-deal-allowing-russian-mercenaries-into-mali-is-close-sources-2021-09-13/#:~:text=PARIS%2C%20Sept%2013%20(Reuters),diplomatic%20and%20security%20sources%20said

They killed a lot of civilians or "enemy combattants" (for the west its the same). And Holland and Macron could dream of the old french empire while f...ing their wifes.

Mali is one of the few places that the RAF is able to use its C-17s. Not to support UK operations but to support out allies! the French when then often need to move 'stuff' that won't fit in one of their C-130 or A400. Waste of UK defence money.

The Russians do not have the same 'keep the war going' motivations of the US/EU. On past experience they go in, eliminate at the first opportunity any opposition that doesn't surrender and then keep the peace. All the while not trying to usurp the local Government.

Seems like the obvious choice.

Mali does have a problem, their central bank is controlled from Paris as former French colonies never actually become properly 'former'. Wagner might have problems getting paid, just like Turkey in Libya (but for different reasons).

Mali has asked private Russian companies to boost security, Russia's foreign minister confirmed Saturday, 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 sidelines of the UN General Assembly this week 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 towards "private Russian companies."

"This is 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 PM 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 United Nations 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.

https://news.yahoo.com/mali-approaches-russian-private-companies-213116280.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall&guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly90LmNvL1RVc3k4ejFvb3M_YW1wPTE&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAALhp9x1ZSoq4JiZqyLzrppoY4j4J_xRKKlMUPd_P6rXzju571QX7N-IbV6tK4WIR_AV0iGgnJD7IpkRI9xk4Wy-5NNcvRCky9OzORcyu6UIOJi6m_kP69YL9Ijnr4j9wTHfXV8aY_kVQLpY99aavLCDWlKFAkeXdFOyFzBt0hQ6e

Gerjon | חריון
@Gerjon_
·
11h
Hours after my tweet, people in Bamako, Flag of MaliMali were reporting arrival of four Flag of RussiaMil helicopters Down pointing backhand index

Arriving by Antonov An-124, likely my reg. Flag of RussiaRA-82038 #RFF9925 (engines, stairs, wings look identical to An-124 - picture 3 for reference.)
https://twitter.com/MehariPost/sta

Acquisition de 4 Hélicoptères de type MI-171, achetés avec la Russie sur fonds du budget national et des munitions offertes par la Russie.
@AmakanessAg @GouvMali @FAMa_DIRPA

EDIT

Status-6
@Archer83Able
·
4h
As part of the contract, Russia sent combat helicopters to Mali: two Mi-171Sh and two Mi-17V5 with a set of weapons and ammunition, a source told RIA Novosti.

Moscow delivers four helicopter gunships to Mali in addition to weapons and ammunition, by Anastasia Verbitskaya for Sputnik France, 02/10/2021.

While its relations with France are going through a difficult period, Mali seems to be at best with Russia. The latter, described as a "friendly country" by the Malian minister of Defense, has just provided him with four combat helicopters and offered him weapons and ammunition.

As part of a contract, Russia sent four combat helicopters to Mali: two Mi-171Sh and two Mi-17V5, a source in the military-industrial complex told Sputnik on October 1, commenting on a statement by this country's Defense Minister Sadio Camara. Weapons and ammunition were also provided, according to the source.

"This is the concretization of a contract signed in December 2020, which came into force in June 2021. The extreme speed of its execution shows the reliability and seriousness of this partner who has always given us satisfaction in the context of win-win exchanges," said the minister in a video authenticated by AFP. He further stated that these weapons and ammunition were "offered by the Russian Federation [...], a friendly country with which Mali has always maintained a very fruitful partnership".

Strained relations

This comes at a time when the French and Malian leaders maintain rather tense relations. In particular, Paris has repeatedly expressed its dissatisfaction with the intentions expressed by the Malian authorities to enter into a partnership with the Russian private paramilitary company Wagner.

Jean-Yves Le Drian warned that France could withdraw its troops if the ruling junta allied with the Wagner group.

A photo depicting Russian soldiers even circulated on social networks. The legend stated that they were soldiers in Mali.

The Factual AFP service later confirmed that she was actually taken in Russia in 2015, during the rehearsal of a military parade.

The Kremlin said on 15 September that Moscow was not negotiating any military presence in Mali.

Varied support

The Mi-171Sh is an export version of the Mi-8AMTSh Terminator transport and combat helicopter. It is equipped with a range of weapons equivalent to that of a Mi-24 combat support helicopter and adapts to the use of night vision devices.

The Mi-17V-5 military transport helicopter provides the deployment and recovery of commandos and wounded, as well as the transport of cargo and equipment. It is equipped with unguided missiles and on-board artillery.

In parallel with the intensification of contacts with Russia, Mali resumed its cooperation with the World Bank Group in early September, suspended following the events of 24 May marking the removal of transitional President Bah N'Daw and his Prime Minister Moctar Ouane. Bamako has just signed four financing agreements with the WB totalling $237.5 million covering the energy, transport, health and development sectors.

France withdrawing from Mali?

Emmanuel Macron has for his part called "shame", Thursday, the accusations of "abandonment" of Mali brought last Saturday by the transitional Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga to the rostrum of the UN. According to the latter, the reorganization of the French military presence in the Sahel, announced in June and acting on the planned end of Barkhane, represented "a kind of abandonment in mid-flight".

Paris has indeed declared that it plans to leave the most northern bases of Mali (Kidal, Timbuktu and Tessalit) to refocus its system around Gao and Ménaka, near the "zone of the three borders", on the borders of Niger and Burkina Faso. A reduction of the workforce is planned, from more than 5,000 people currently to 2,500-3,000 by 2023.

"No France is not disengaging in Mali. It is scandalous to make believe that France is leaving; it remains fully mobilized," hammered the French Minister of the Armed Forces, describing, too, as "unacceptable" the words of Choguel Kokalla Maiga.

A transition government

In less than a year, Mali experienced two coups d'État: on 24 May, then on 18 August 2020, carried out by a group of colonels commanded by Assimi Goïta. The country is now ruled by a transitional government where key positions have reverted to the military after Goita was sworn in as President. Elections are scheduled for February 2022.

After the overthrow of the authorities on 24 May, France said it had "decided to suspend joint military operations with Malian forces" and remain "pending guarantees" on a return of civilians to power after the elections.

Yandex Translate from French

https://fr.sputniknews.com/20211002/moscou-livre-au-mali-quatre-helicopteres-de-combat-en-plus-darmes-et-de-munitions-1051960379.html

Why is France so scared of thousands of Wagnerians in Mali, by Alexander Staver for Topwar.ru. 01/10/2021.


2021, in my opinion, changed our perception of time. In any case, this happened in international relations, in politics, in the economy. What took months or even years in the recent past can now happen in literally counted days. Agreements that have been drafted recently for months and even years can now be concluded in just a few days.

For a long time I did not return to the topic of Wagner PMC in Mali. I confess that I did it deliberately. I really wanted to see how President Macron would behave in a situation when it turns out that behind France's back are not so much friends as rivals and competitors.

Will France be able to resist the onslaught of the United States or will it obediently go into the crowd of allies of the same insignificant importance for the United States?

Alas, the French state turned out to be much weaker than many thought. And Macron is not de Gaulle at all. Beautifully indignant and stamping its foot, Paris quickly forgot everything and completely restored relations with Washington. Ambassadors are back at their workplaces. France's interests again coincide with those of the United States.

"This is our cow and we milk it"

The recent session of the UN General Assembly in New York turned out to be quite interesting not in the session hall, but in the margins, on the sidelines. It was especially curious to follow the work of Russian Minister Sergei Lavrov. How and with whom he meets, what he talks about, what predictions he makes.

But today we are interested in Africa.

The topic came up during the talks between Sergei Lavrov and the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell. Borrell understands perfectly well that one should speak honestly with "Mr. No", without lying. That is why I expressed my thought quite directly. As Lavrov said in an interview with RIA News, he argued that Russia should not work in Africa, that this is the place of Europe.

"As Josep Borrell told me, you better not work in Africa at all, because Africa is our place. That's exactly what he said."

I wonder?

Naturally. The main thing is not in Europe's ambitions, but in why such a serious and experienced diplomat as Borrell was actually forced to issue an ultimatum to Russia?

More on this below, simply because I really want to recall a few words from the answer of Minister Lavrov.

Sergei Lavrov laid siege to the European official. And he beautifully expressed his "fu" to such non-diplomatic directness from the head of the EU foreign policy:

"It would be better to synchronize the actions of the European Union and Russia with regard to the fight against terrorism." "And not only in Mali, but in the whole Sahara-Sahel region."

“And to say“ I am the first here, so you leave here ”- firstly, it is insulting to the Bamako government, which has invited external partners. Secondly, you can't talk to anyone like that."

"How much milk does a cow give?"

So why did Josep Borrell try to frighten Russia in the person of Minister Lavrov?

Is Mali worth it to press the Russians so roughly, “losing face”?

What is it about Mali that Europe wants to fight for?

I will not describe the volumes of minerals that have already been explored and can be mined. Gold, bauxite, hydrocarbons, uranium, diamonds. This is not a complete list of what lies in the land of Mali. But it is quite difficult to mine it today due to the unstable situation.

To understand the volume of minerals, it is enough to say that, for example, the volume of gold in Mali is estimated at almost 1% of the world's reserves. The same bauxite there are 3% of the world's reserves.

Can you imagine what this small country could become if the situation stabilizes and deposits are developed?

But it seems to me that the most delicious piece is uranium.

What has already been explored in Mali is not yet so large, but there are huge deposits nearby in Niger.

In short, continuing to quote the Soviet cartoon, France "needs such a cow herself" ...

Why doesn't the Mali government trust the French?

Carried away by the topic of PMCs, we somehow forgot the reason that pushed Bamako to seek help on the side.

The presence of the French army, and a little later the armies of other states, was initially based on the decision of the UN Security Council. Numerous detachments of jihadists not only destabilized the situation in the country, but also threatened to seize uranium deposits in Niger.

Now let's listen to what the Prime Minister of Mali Shogel Maiga said from the rostrum of the UN General Assembly:

“As a result of the [French] operation Barkhan, the country of Mali is faced with a fait accompli. When our country was left to its own devices without warning, we found ourselves forced to find ways and means to better ensure the country's security. Both independently and with the support of our partners.

What is this very operation "Barkhan", to which the Prime Minister of Mali refers?

In fact, Barkhane is a Paris-planned halving of the army in Mali by 2023. Let me remind you that there are 5 French soldiers in Mali now. It is clear that the reduction of the contingent is critical for Bamako. Of little use from 100 thousand, even less will be from 5 thousand.

The howl raised by the French and their allies over PMCs looks pretty funny.

The French military were afraid of one thousand (!) Civilian PMC employees?

Moreover, the PMC will do exactly what a private security firm is supposed to do - to ensure the safety of top officials of the state and the training of local security forces.

It seems to me that there is more international politics here.

Paris is confident that PMCs are just a vanguard of Russia, which will pave the way for Russian diplomats, Russian businessmen and the Russian military in Mali.

Europe fears a change in the course of the Mali government to a pro-Russian one.

It is not for nothing that the European press draws attention to the fact that the country's prime minister is a graduate of a Russian university, and the defense minister has completed an internship in Russia.

"Russia's soft power worked."

Simply put, everything is as usual. From a sore head to a healthy one. The Europeans again blame their own miscalculations on the "hand of the Kremlin" and "the treachery of Putin."

Interim conclusions on the situation

The cries of the West about the appearance of Wagner PMCs in Africa are based on the understanding that the colonial policy of Western countries towards African states is failing. The peoples of Africa are beginning to understand all the insidiousness of Western politicians who, in fact, rob their countries with the hands of local elites without shame and conscience.

PMCs, including PMC "Wagner", have long been present on the African continent.

These companies are from different countries, with the most diverse contingent. Some are really engaged in protection, some - perform the role of mercenaries in the armies of numerous tribes, but they are there and have been for a long time.

The reason that Africa is waking up today and beginning to squeeze the Western countries out of their own countries is, first of all, in the crisis of the West itself.

What is happening today in France, the United States, Britain and other Western countries is pushing African leaders to seek new allies and defenders.

And Africans have little choice. Either the global West or the global East, including China and Russia. On the one hand, Africa has tried Western "love", and on the other hand, today it is difficult for even the richest countries to do without money and protection.

The world is changing, as I have written many times, and very dramatically. States are creating new alliances, new military blocs, new international organizations, in which there are no obvious leaders and masters.

And it's not about the United States, Russia or China. The point is the collapse of the old world order and the birth of a new one.

We will soon see new economic monsters, new regional, scientific and production leaders. We have already observed this, but for some reason we quickly forgot. We have forgotten Japan, Taiwan, Korea, China, which literally in the blink of an eye burst into the forefront of the world.

The time is coming for a change of leaders

Africa today is so promising in this respect that it is no longer possible to ignore it.

https://en.topwar.ru/187566-pochemu-francija-tak-ispugalas-tysjachi-vagnerovcev-v-mali.html

No need to risk flying in direct, they appera to be arriving by truck and chopper, perhaps already desert acclimatised soldiers relocating locally from Libya.

Nader نادر
@Nader_SM
· 3h
Confirmed: a contingent of #Russia|n Wagner mercenaries has reached Mali after landing east of Benghazi, Libya

Mali Foreign Ministry summoned French ambassador over Macron's "unfriendly statements", 06/10/2021.

MOSCOW, October 6 - RIA Novosti. The Mali Foreign Ministry has summoned the French ambassador in connection with the "unfriendly remarks" of French President Emmanuel Macron to the country, according to a communiqué from the Foreign Ministry, which was posted on his Twitter page.

Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop expressed indignation and condemnation from the Malian government to the French diplomat and expressed a strong protest over the statements of Macron, which, according to the Malian authorities, harm the development of friendly relations between states.

In addition, the minister called on France for restraint and a constructive approach based on mutual respect in order, in particular, to focus on the fight against terrorism in the Sahel region.

Macron said earlier Tuesday that due to French operations in the Sahel region, terrorists did not seize power in Mali.

Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron promised to change the model of the military presence in the Sahel region and complete Operation Barkhan, replacing it with an international alliance with the participation of the countries of the region. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the Mali authorities have turned to a Russian private company to fight terrorism, this activity is carried out on a legal basis. He stressed that official Moscow "has nothing to do with this."

Prime Mali Shogel Kokalla Maiga from the rostrum of the General Assembly of the United Nations noted that France, having decided unilaterally to conclude an anti-terrorist operation "Dune", thus "threw" the country, so in Bamako are forced to seek new partners for security. The French Foreign Ministry spokesman subsequently stressed that changing the form of France's military presence in the Sahel region is neither a withdrawal from Mali, nor a unilateral decision.

The African Sahel region is one of the most problematic on the continent due to terrorist activities and illegal migration. In 2014, France launched the Barkhan anti-terrorist operation in the region. This mission is supported by the regional structure of the G5, created in the same year.

The purpose of the operation, which is being carried out in the Sahara-Sahel region ( Niger , Mali, Burkina Faso , Mauritania , Chad ), is to fight terrorism and stabilize the situation in the region to a level where local authorities can independently provide security.

https://ria.ru/20211006/vyskazyvaniya-1753265892.html

Let's keep in mind, that France without its colonial background would be just a shadow of itself.
Mali is a member of monetary union with France, forced to keep its foreign reserves in CB of France, and dealing with France using CFA currency, with fixed exchange rate to EURO.
They will fight for keeping the status quo.
It is business.

Sounds par for the course, hence the need for Wagner perhaps.

ASB News / MILITARYPart alternation mark
@ASBMilitary
·
10h
Mali has evidence French forces train militant groups on its territory - PM