Mali bristles over warnings not to hire Russian 'mercenaries'

Bamako (AFP) Sept 19, 2021

Mali's ruling junta on Sunday bristled over warnings by Western and regional leaders not to hire "mercenaries" from private Russian security firm Wagner, saying its partnerships are its business. Former colonial power France last week warned Bamako against such a deal following claims that the West African country's junta is close to hiring 1,000 paramilitaries to train its armed forces and