Moscow: Russia will continue to provide Mali with military assistance through state channels, the news agency Ria quotes a Senior Russian diplomat told Monday, the day after Bamako denied the presence of Russian mercenaries.
France, Canada, and 13 European countries last week condemned Moscow for facilitating the alleged spread of private military contractors from the Wagner group supported by Russia to Mali, where the government fought against Islamist rebellion.
The Mali government on Saturday denied the presence of Russian mercenaries, but said “Russian coach” was there as part of a bilateral agreement between Mali and Russia.
A cargo aircraft sent four helicopters, weapons, and ammunition from Russia to Mali in October, part of what the Mali government said was a commercial agreement with the Russian country.
Ria on Monday quoted Pyotr Ilichev, Director of the Ministry of Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for international organizations, said in an interview that Bamako had the right to cooperate with the partner he wanted with a militant.
“We will continue to defend the legitimate interests of Bamako at the United Nations (PBB) and also to provide active assistance to our Mali partners in the military and military-technical field through state channels,” Ilichev said as quoted.
President Vladimir Putin said the Wagner group did not represent the Russian country, but the private military contractor had the right to work anywhere in the world as long as they did not damage Russian law.
Ilichev was quoted as saying that French withdrawals from military bases in Mali had the potential to disrupt the region.
Paris previously denied the suggestions left by Mali.