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Relations between France and Mali have been strained since August 2020 and the two military coups. Paris openly questions the legitimacy of the new power in Mali. France is also annoyed by the rise in power of the Wagner force made up of Russian mercenaries. What is really happening on the ground?
Next to the Bamako airport (Mali), a military camp was created in a few weeks. Dozens of soldiers train there. There are also Russian-made armored vehicles and a troop transport helicopter, also Russian. For specialists, it is a hastily built camp to house mercenaries from the Russian paramilitary group Wagner. According to Vincent Lamigeon, defense specialist of the magazine Challenges, they would be 450 militiamen currently.
From this camp, Wagner’s men would have deployed discreetly in the center and north of the country. The paramilitary group advances as the French army retreats. Today, they would be less than 200 km from each other. Until now, the Malian authorities have always denied having appealed to the Wagner group. They only admit to having received help from Russian army trainers and received armaments. In Russia, on the other hand, propaganda videos are broadcast on social networks where France is presented as the enemy.
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