The United States imposed sanctions on three Malian officials "who have worked closely" with the Russian Wagner mercenary group to facilitate and expand the group's presence in Mali since December 2021, the State Department said on July 24. The statement said civilian fatalities have risen 278 percent since Wagner forces deployed to Mali. "Many of those deaths were the result of operations conducted by Malian armed forces alongside members of the Wagner Group," it said. Those designated are: Malian Defense Minister Colonel Sadio Camara, Air Force Chief of Staff Colonel Alou Boi Diarra, and Deputy Chief of Staff Lieutenant Colonel Adama Bagayoko. A separate report by Human Rights Watch on July 24 accused Mali's army and Wagner mercenaries of having committed summary executions, lootings, forced disappearances, and other abuses.
U.S. Places Sanctions On Three Malian Officials For Work With Wagner Mercenary Group
The private Russian security firm Wagner has a presence in several African countries. (file photo)