French Defence Minister in Mali Amid Russian ‘Mercenary’ Tensions

France’s defence minister met her counterpart in Mali on Monday, amid rising tensions with the war-torn Sahel state over reports that it plans to hire Russian mercenaries, and the potential for delayed elections.

Former colonial power France last week warned Bamako against signing a deal with private-security firm Wagner, after claims that Mali’s army-dominated government is close to hiring 1,000 paramilitaries.