Following a European protest Mali denies the deployment of Russian Wagner mercenaries on its soil

In a statement on Friday evening, the Malian government denied any deployment of mercenaries from the Russian Wagner Group on its territory, but announced the presence of Russian trainers in the framework of cooperation with Moscow, after 15 Western countries condemned in a statement the deployment of Wagner mercenaries in Mali with the help of Moscow.

In a statement on Friday evening, the Malian government denied any deployment of mercenaries from the Russian Wagner Group announced by about 15 Western forces participating in the fight against extremist groups in this country in the Sahel region.

The Malian government said in its statement that it "presents an official denial of these allegations regarding the alleged spread of elements of a private security company in Mali."

She added that she "demands that evidence be provided to her from independent sources," stressing her keenness to clarify that Russian trainers, such as the European Training Mission, are in Mali in the context of strengthening the operational capabilities of the national defense and security forces.

The statement, signed by government spokesman Colonel Abdallah Maiga, also Minister of Land Administration, continued, "Bamako demands that it be judged by its actions and not based on rumours, and would like to recall that the Malian state is committed to a two-state partnership with the Russian Federation, its historical partner."

And about 15 Western countries announced in a statement Thursday the deployment of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner to the controversy in Mali, with the help of Moscow.

In a joint statement, these countries, including Germany, France, Britain and Canada, said: "We strongly condemn the deployment of mercenaries on Malian territory," and condemned "the participation of the Government of the Russian Federation in providing material support for the deployment of the Wagner Group in Mali."

A source in the French government said, "We notice on the field today alternating flights at the site of Russian army military transport planes, facilities at Bamako airport that allow receiving a large number of mercenaries, frequent visits by cadres from Wagner to Bamako, and the activities of Russian geologists known for their proximity to Wagner." .

The statement called on Russia to act in a responsible and constructive manner in the region.

The statement was also signed by Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, the Netherlands, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Romania and Sweden, all countries participating with France in the new European grouping of special forces Takoba, which aims to accompany Malian soldiers in the fight.

The deployment of Russian mercenaries so far is a red line for Paris. But the 15 signatories to the statement reaffirmed their determination to continue their work to protect civilians, support the fight against terrorism in the Sahel region, and help establish long-term stability.

Mali has witnessed since 2012 attacks carried out by extremist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the terrorist Daesh, and acts of violence committed by "self-defense militias" and bandits.