Wagners May Have Taken Over UN Base in Mali

Prigozhin was last seen in Mali before his assassination in Russia. Reporters asked if it's true that the Wagners have occupied the UN's MINUSMA base.

I almost missed that the Wagners and Prigozhin were mentioned in a United Nations press briefing on Friday. Reporters were asking question to Florencia Soto Niño, Associate Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. 

Question: We have sources in Africa who are telling us that the MINUSMA [United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali] based there, which I believe UN forces left on [13 August] ahead of schedule because of security concerns, is now taken over by Wagner Group.  Do you have any confirmation of that, or any comment on that?

UN Spokesperson: All we can say is that each time the mission closes a camp as part of its withdrawal process, it will conduct procedures with the Malian civilian authority to formally return the site to the Transition Government of Mali.  This is according to our policy.  But, once that happens, we have no way of verifying what happens after that, right, especially since we've physically left the location.

Question:  So, the Government could have turned that base over to Wagner Group?

UN Spokesperson: That is not for me to comment, but for you to speculate.

Question: The video of Prigozhin that was put out in the last week, the last time he was seen internationally before he died reportedly was in Mali.  Do you know if that's where he was or is that something that the Secretary-General has been watching or was aware of?

Associate Spokesperson: I can't confirm where this happened. 

Question: A follow-up. Since the UN has no information about the whereabouts the video showed about Prigozhin, as well as the death or others.  I just kind of want to know what is the basic general position from the UN mercenary groups operations in multiple countries?  Does UN think that should be something to concern or it's up to the sovereign countries they to decide whether to hire those groups?

UN Spokesperson: While we're not making any comments directly on any of those developments, I think we have seen the sort of the negative effects that these groups can have.  There have been reports by human rights organizations about the potential negative effects that they can have on the ground. And it's different than when it happens when it's the country's own military.  The accountability is not there.  Right?  So, that is all I would say at this point that it comes with a lot of risks.  And right now, we will see what will happens in the region.  As we know that mercenary groups are operating in many parts of the world.  Quite frankly, we've seen a proliferation of them, more and more

This is a notable moment considering the UN had 15,200 troops and aid workers in the country. They operated there for more than a decade. The Mali government unexpectedly asked for their departure, setting the deadline for 31 December 2023. The UN decided to leave sooner, with the US accusing the Wagner Group of instigating their withdrawal.

China has many infrastructure projects in the country,and surprised everyone when they provided troops for this UN mission. It will be interesting to know their position. It’s guaranteed that China is liasing with Russia on that future.