On the sidelines of the Summit of La Francophonie, the French head of state has notably denounced the action of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner in Mali and in the Central African Republic.
MO12345LEMONDE with Reuters
Emmanuel Macron accused Russia of fueling an antifrançaise propaganda in Africa to serve a “predation project” on African countries in difficulty, where France has undergone military reversals in recent years and, more generally, a loss of influence.
Questioned on the sidelines of the Summit of La Francophonie, which was held in Djerba in Tunisia on November 19 and 20, on criticism that France exploits its economic and historical ties with its former colonies to serve its own interests, The French president responded in an interview with TV5 world: “This perception, it is fed (…) by others, it is a political project. I am not fooled, many influencers, including sometimes people On your trays, are paid by the Russians. We know them. “
“Several powers, who want to build an influence in Africa, develop this to damage France, damage its language, make doubt, but above all to seek interests,” continued the French head of state.
After a decade of military presence in Mali as part of an anti -terrorist operation, whose assessment is not unanimous, France withdrew its troops after the Malian army took power during a Coup in 2020. The new leaders then invited the private paramilitary company Wagner to help it in its fight against Islamist movements, and break all link with Paris.
murder and theft
Moscow declares that Wagner does not represent the Russian state and is not paid by him. But the European Union has imposed sanctions on the paramilitary organization which it accuses of carrying out clandestine operations on behalf of the Kremlin.
In 2021, a United Nations report accused Russian instructors and local troops in the Central African Republic of having used a disproportionate force against civilians, killed people blindly, occupied schools and perpetrated large -scale looting. The Kremlin replied that it was a lie and that Russian instructors had never taken part in murders or thefts in this country rich in gold and diamonds.
“You just have to go and see what’s going on in the Central African Republic or elsewhere to see the Russian project very clearly at work when France is jostled. It is a project of predation “Added Emmanuel Macron, pointing to” the complicity of a Russian military junta “.