France called on countries associated with Wagner to distance themselves from the Russian paramilitary group and stressed its willingness to impose additional sanctions for the crimes the organization is accused of in Ukraine and Africa.
“We will continue to impose strict European sanctions for the actions [do Grupo Wagner] in Ukraine and in Africa,” assured Olivier Becht, deputy minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, when questioned by the Senate.
The Wagner group, which led a brief uprising in Russia on Friday and Saturday, is mainly active in Africa, particularly in Mali and the Central African Republic.
The leader of the movement, Yevgeny Prigozhin, eventually interrupted his “march on Moscow”, against the country’s military leadership, and went into exile in neighboring Belarus.
“We say to the countries that chose Wagner, and who may regret it, that it is time to distance themselves from it, because nothing good can come out of the chaos Wagner has created,” the minister said.
Becht criticized what he considered “a criminal and mafia group whose methods include violence, predation, manipulation and liquidation”.
The French official also noted that wherever the Wagner group has a presence, “the jihadist” threat is growing,” despite the claim that everything was under its control, “be it in Syria, Libya, Mozambique, Mali or in the Central African Republic”.
Becht described the Wagner group as “a veritable scourge”, whose “sole aim is to plunder wealth at the expense of states and populations”, Becht assured that France “will not stand idly by”.
On Tuesday, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller announced that the United States plans to take “new measures” this week against the activities of the Wagner Group in Africa.
Source: DN
