BAMAKO, 14 Sept. - (ANA)  - Russian mercenary firm Wagner could send up to 1,000 fighters to Mali to train soldiers and protect VIPs under a new deal with its military junta, according to diplomatic sources quoted by Reuters. 

 

The deployment could jeopardise France's 5,000-man strong counter-terrorist mission in the region, which was to involve more European Union (EU) states. 

 

"Public opinion in Mali is in favour of more cooperation with Russia," a Mali defence-ministry spokesman said.   - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/14 September 2021 - - -