The European Union sanctioned the Russian paramilitary group Wagner on Monday as well as 8 people and 3 companies linked to it. Made up of Russian mercenaries, he is accused of carrying out “actions of destabilization” in Ukraine and in several African countries.
The sanctions consist of a visa ban for people and the freezing of assets in the EU.
The decision was unanimously approved by EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels. It must then be published in the Official Journal of the EU to enter into force.
Known to be close to the Kremin, Wagner is a paramilitary group whose presence is reported in several countries in sub-Saharan Africa where Russia is present, in particular in Mali and the Central African Republic. The group also operates in Libya, Syria and Ukraine.
accused of abuses
After the announcement of the end of Operation Barkhane and the reduction of French troops, the Malian authorities began negotiations with this private company. For Paris, the presence of these mercenaries would be “incompatible” with the maintenance of the French military presence in Mali.
Several NGOs, including Amnesty International, accuse Wagner members of being responsible for abuses against civilians in the war zones where they are deployed.
European ministers also approved on Monday a legal framework allowing them to “sanction those who obstruct the transition in Mali”. Threatened by the jihadists, the country has been the scene of two military coups in less than a year in August 2020 and May 2021.
