Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD: Moscow rubbished claims Thursday that the Russian mercenary group Wagner was carrying out operations in Burkina Faso, while committing to boost its linkages with the West African nation that is plagued by extremist violence.
Speaking to Russian state news agency Ria Novosti, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov stated that any “speculation” or “rumors” that suggest the operations of a Russian private military company in the area were “unfounded”.
In recent weeks, videos had emerged on social media showing presence of Russian mercenaries in Burkina Faso.
Wagner, which is headed by an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has yet to confirm any presence in Burkina Faso.
Earlier this month, Burkina Faso’s military leader Captain Ibrahim Traore had denied that Wagner mercenaries were present in his country.
Moscow has also denied that Burkina Faso’s military rulers, which seized power in a September 2022 coup, had requested Russian assistance.
Like those in Mali, Burkina Faso’s military rulers, have fallen out with France, its former ruler and traditional ally.
Wagner has successful cultivated growing footprint in Africa
The junta demanded in January that France withdraw its force of 400 troops after 14 years and on Sunday announced that the French army operations had officially ended.
On Thursday, Bogdanov said that Russia intended to “develop a multifaceted cooperation with Burkina Faso” and “actively participate in collective efforts to stabilize the situation” and.
“The training of national military force personnel” by Russian counter-terrorism specialists is “of particular importance” for Burkina Faso’s authorities, he added.
Wagner has successfully cultivated a growing footprint in the Africa continent, establishing itself in recent years in Mali and the Central African Republic.