Mali is receiving more warplanes and helicopters from Russia, its main military and political ally. It is the last in a series of deliveries after others in March and August 2022. The African country has reportedly included Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group in its fight against jihadist armed groups.
Wagner Group mercenaries in the fight against the jihadists
“The will to modernize and equip our army is not only linked to a crisis, but rather responds to the basic need to ensure the security of the population,” declared Mali’s Defense Minister at a ceremony attended by the head of the Malian junta, Colonel Asimi Goita, and Russian Ambassador Igor Gromyko at the Modibo Keita International Airport in Bamako.
The shipment included Sukhoi attack aircraft and Soviet-designed helicopters to transport troops and weapons to defend land sites.
“The Malian defense and security forces are respected now”
“The Malian defense and security forces are now respected and present a positive image of the country to all partners,” added Col. Sadio Camara, Minister of Defense.
France does not look positively at this rapprochement between Russia and Mali, and the delivery of these weapons is a sensitive matter, which revives the historical tensions between Paris and Moscow.
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