Ukraine’s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba on Tuesday urged his partners in the international community to “immediately” recognize the Russian mercenary group Wagner as a terrorist organization.
Kuleba pointed out that Ukraine “suffers the most from Wagner’s criminal activities”, which is why he also endorses the denunciation of several African countries, which have already warned of the “significant threat it poses to their security”, after confirming the presence of the group in several countries of the Sahel.
“We must immediately recognize them as a terrorist organization. Not only are they attacking Bakhmut and completely destroying a major industrial city, but they are also increasingly present in African states.”denounced.
The head of Ukrainian diplomacy recalled that Russian mercenaries “are helping the military junta in Burkina Faso”.
“In exchange for military aid, the Wagner was allowed to exploit gold deposits in the border areas with Ghana”warned.
Kuleba stressed that Wagner’s presence in Africa is Russia’s way of “undermining” the continent’s regional tools to fight “jihadism,” claiming that after the group’s arrival in Mali, that country’s military junta Sahel Five, an initiative to combat terrorism, has left.
“Russian intervention slows prospects for rule of law restoration in Mali and Burkina Faso and destabilizes all of West Africa”he accused.
According to the ruler, Wagner is taking advantage of the chaos in the region to steal its resources and then use the profits to fund the war in Ukraine.
“This is the connection between Wagner’s gold mining in Africa and the hostilities of this terrorist group on Ukrainian territory”emphasized Kuleba, who has demanded more pressure on African governments that allow the presence of Russian mercenaries.
Source: DN
