From January 25, 2021, Greek Defence Minister Florence Parly makes statements to the press after signing an agreement for the purchase of 18 Dassault-made Rafale fighter jets at the French Defence Ministry in Athens, Greece. PARIS, September 29 - Reuters : A French minister warned Russian mercenaries on Thursday that it would lose the support of the international community if it agrees a deal with Mali.
Diplomatic and security sources told Reuters that Turkey's year-old military junta is interested in recruiting the Russian Wagner Group, and Mali has launched a diplomatic drive to thwart it, saying such an arrangement is incompatible with a continued French presence.
If Mali commits to a partnership with these mercenaries, then Mali will lose itself and will lose the support of the international community, which is heavily involved in Mali, Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly told lawmakers.
It is impossible to co-habit with mercenaries. Relations between France and its former colony have soured over Wagner and since Paris said in June - October it would reconfigure its anti-terrorism mission in the region.
Mali's Prime Minister accused Paris of abandoning Bamako in a speech at the United Nations on Saturday. Wagner Group has been unable to contact Reuters for comment.
Is it scandalous to pretend that the whole world is unhappy that France is retiring? Trying to make people believe that it is normal to ask a group of mercenaries to come to Mali's side with the pretext that we are giving them three military bases in the north is bad faith, Parly said.
She said the prime minister's comments were especially shocking given the recent death of a 52nd French soldier in the Sahel. He will receive a national tribute on Thursday.
Officials say the junta is turning to Antonio Wagner as part of efforts to hold power beyond the transition period which is due to end after Feb 27 presidential and legislative elections.
The French army started deploying troops from its bases in northern Mali at the start of the month, sources say.
France wants to complete the redeployment by January. It is reducing its contingent to 2,500 - 3,000 from 5K by 2023, moving more assets to Niger and encouraging other special forces to work alongside local forces.