Mali-Russia military cooperation: France leads ‘fierce’ media war on the Kremlin

The growing presence of Russian soldiers in Africa seems to be taking a toll on France, who has always had control of the greater part of the continent since the colonial times. Currently, Russia seems to be gaining grounds in a continent where France, who was once dominated is losing grounds. It is to this end that France has in the past few days led a fierce media battle against Russia due to an alleged deal to be reached between Bamako and Moscow for the arrival of Russian paramilitary troops in the fragile West African state. Several local French media outlets as well as international news organs on the behest of France have portrayed Russia’s military contribution to Mali as a terrible idea, thereby terming the Russian paramilitary forces supposedly expected in the country as mercenaries.

French Media and several international media organs claim the troops to be welcomed in Mali are mercenaries from the Wagner group, a private security company owned by a businessman who is said to have close ties with President Vladimir Putin. Concerned about this latest development, the French foreign ministry's top Africa diplomat, Christophe Bigot, was dispatched to Moscow for talks on September 8 with Mikhail Bogdanov, President Putin’s special representative for the Middle East and Africa. However, France's foreign ministry has declined to comment on the visit. Although Moscow is yet to react to rumours of signing a military deal with Mali, a spokesperson for the Malian defense ministry on Tuesday, September 14 did not deny the highly positive discussions between the government and the private security group.

For fear of losing total control of the Sahel region to Russia as is already the case in some countries like the Central African Republic and Libya, where the Kremlin has already implanted its roots, France is now painting Russia in a bad light. Ever since Russia’s arrival in the Central African Republic in 2017, France has lost control of its once top colony. It’s imperative to note that the Presence of Russian Military in the CAR has uplifted the military prowess of CAR forces battling rebel groups aimed at destabilizing the country. Just recently, Russia sent an additional 300 military advisors to support President Touadera as part of a deepening relationship. It is worth noting that the bilateral cooperation between Mali and Russia dates back to 2019 when both states signed an agreement on military cooperation in Russia. The document was signed at the ARMY 2019 International Military and Technical Forum. Also, Russia has struck military cooperation deals with many African countries since 2015, though some have yet to come into force. The agreements typically involve providing weapons and training in areas such as counter-terrorism and piracy.