Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused France of arming, financing and training armed groups operating in the Sahara-Sahel region, escalating Moscow’s criticism of Paris as Russia expands its security role in West Africa.
France was seeking to preserve its influence in former African colonies by working with “illegal armed groups”, Lavrov made the remarks on August 17 in Accra after talks with Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, according to Russia’s state-run TASS.
“It is no secret that France is involved in this; it works directly with illegal armed groups, arms them, finances them, and instructs them,” Lavrov added.
He also rejected accusations from Western human-rights organizations concerning civilian deaths allegedly involving Russia’s Africa Corps in Mali, saying that the Russian force was operating legally because it had been invited by African governments.
The comments came as Human Rights Watch reported that Africa Corps personnel and allied Malian forces had allegedly killed nine civilians, including four children, in central Mali in early July. The rights group said the incident occurred in the village of Bombori and called for an investigation. It also noted that residents recovered the bodies after the forces left.
Moscow has previously accused Ukraine of cooperating with African insurgent groups, while Kyiv has rejected Russian claims that it is directing attacks in the region.
The dispute is unfolding against a deteriorating security situation in Mali, where the military government has turned away from former Western partners and strengthened ties with Russia. President Vladimir Putin and Mali’s transitional leader, Gen. Assimi Goita, discussed counterterrorism cooperation and regional stability during a telephone call initiated by Bamako.
Meanwhile, recent battlefield developments have increased the political leverage of Mali’s armed opponents. The Azawad Liberation Front, or FLA, and al-Qaeda-linked Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, known as JNIM, released 82 Malian soldiers on August 13. The release was confirmed by Mali’s army and the rebel group, although the parties differed over when the soldiers were captured.
The International Committee of the Red Cross separately evacuated six wounded prisoners from Kidal on August 16. The developments have raised pressure on Mali’s junta to consider negotiations, with Algeria, Mauritania, Congo and Togo emerging as possible mediation channels.
Bamako, however, continues to reject dialogue with both the FLA and JNIM. The competing diplomatic narratives, Russia’s accusations against France and the armed groups’ growing role in mediation, underscore the widening international contest over security and political influence in the Sahel.
