The collaboration between the Russian mercenary group Wagner and Mali’s military junta has caused outrage in the West. As a consequence, France is withdrawing its military from the West African country. The government in London is now following the example.
Britain is withdrawing its troops from the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSMA in the West African country amid growing concerns over Mali’s military cooperation with Russia. The 300 British task forces would end their three-year deployment early, Defense Secretary James Heappey said in Parliament in London. The former colonial power France had previously withdrawn its troops from Mali. The Bundeswehr is still represented there with up to 1,400 soldiers.
Heappey blamed the Malian transitional military government for the withdrawal. “Two coups in three years have undermined international efforts to promote peace,” said the conservative politician. Above all, he criticized the presence of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, who are accused of human rights violations. The Malian government’s partnership with the Wagner Group is counterproductive to lasting stability and security in their region, Heappey said.
“This government cannot deploy our country’s military to provide security unless the host government is willing to work with us to create lasting stability and security.”
Mali, with a population of around 20 million, has experienced three military coups since 2012 and is politically extremely unstable. Since the most recent coup in May 2021, the country has been led by an interim military government. European states criticize their military cooperation with Russia.
