Staff Writer
For having “facilitated the deployment and expansion” of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner’s actions in Mali, the United States on Monday slapped economic sanctions against three Malian officers, among them the current Minister of Defense.
Three Malian army personnel are the target of these sanctions: Colonel Sadio Camara, Minister of Defense and French national, Colonel Alou Boi Diarra, and Lieutenant-Colonel Adama Bagayoko, both Air Force officials.
According to a statement from the US Treasury, there is “evidence showing that these Malian officials contributed to the malicious activities of the Wagner group in Mali”.
Key Malian authorities who assisted in the Wagner Group’s entrenchment in Mali during the previous two years are exposed by today’s action, according to the statement. In charge of the Treasury under Financial intelligence and terrorism In the statement, Brian Nelson was cited as stating.
These leaders have exposed their citizens to the disruptive actions and human rights violations of the Wagner Group while also opening the door for the exploitation of their nation’s resources for the benefit of the Wagner Group’s activities in Ukraine,” he continued.
These three officials’ American assets are blocked, and they are not allowed to conduct business with Americans or American companies.
Washington claims that since the Wagner group arrived in Mali in December 2021, there have been 278% more civilian casualties there, particularly as a result of actions conducted by the Malian armed forces alongside members of the Wagner group.
In June 2017, the United States imposed economic restrictions against this organisation, which were later renewed back in January.
Following the 24-hour uprising launched in June in Russia by his employer, Yevgeny Prigojine, Wagner’s future, who fought in the Ukraine and whose presence has been confirmed in various African nations as well as in Syria, is in doubt.
Moscow declared that the fate of its presence in Africa will rely “on the countries concerned.”
