BRUSSELS, Belgium
The European Union on Wednesday warned countries of the
north African Sahel against hiring Russian mercenaries, and underlined that it
stands ready to impose sanctions on anyone interfering with the transition to
civilian rule in Mali.European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell
Mali’s
interim government has accepted the presence of Wagner Group security
contractors on its territory. Last month, the EU slapped sanctions on eight
people and three oil companies linked to Wagner, which is accused of rights
abuses in the Central African Republic, Libya and Syria.
The
EU warning came in a series of meetings between the bloc’s foreign policy
chief, Josep Borrell, and the foreign ministers of Chad, Mali, Mauritania and
Niger. A full meeting of the G5 Sahel countries, including Burkina Faso, did
not take place due to differences over who could take part.
Borrell
said he underlined the EU’s “deep concern following the confirmed deployment of
Russian mercenaries in Mali and the great danger that this poses to civilian
populations. This group’s methods are incompatible with our collective efforts
on security and development.”
In
a long conversation with Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop, Borrell insisted that
“the European Union wants to remain engaged in Mali and the Sahel but not at
any price.”
Of
chief concern for the Europeans in the strategically important but unstable
Sahel region, which has proven a fertile breeding ground for extremists, is the
decision by Mali’s interim government to delay elections due next month until
2026.
The West African regional group ECOWAS imposed tougher economic sanctions on Mali in response. The EU has set up a framework for imposing its own measures on the authorities for holding up the political transition but has not yet pulled the trigger.
Mali
has struggled to contain an extremist insurgency since 2012. Rebels were forced
from power in northern cities with the help of a French-led military operation,
but they regrouped in the desert and began attacking the Malian army and its
allies.
Insecurity
has worsened with attacks on civilians and United Nations peacekeepers. The EU
has also been training the Mali armed forces and plans to continue to do so for
now despite the severe instability and political upheaval.
Borrell
said he demanded “concrete guarantees” from Diop to ensure that European help
to Mali’s security forces can continue. He called for a “credible electoral
timetable” and said the EU “is united in its position to impose individual
sanctions on those who hinder the transition process in Mali.”
Burkina
Faso’s takeover this week by the Patriotic Movement for Safeguarding and
Restoration was also high on the meeting agenda. Borrell condemned the coup and
underlined that the EU demands “the respect of the republic’s institutions and
a rapid return to constitutional order.”
He also called for “the immediate release of all people who are illegally detained, to start with President (Roch Marc Christian) Kabore himself.” - AP
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