The US government this Thursday announced a series of economic sanctions against the head of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner in Mali, Ivan Maslov, accused of trying to obtain military equipment in the African country for use in the conflict in Ukraine.
These sanctions “on the most important person leading the Wagner group in Mali are aimed at ending the main operations in support of the group’s activities around the world,” justified the Deputy Secretary of the Treasury in charge of terrorism and financial intelligence, Brian Nelson. quoted in the statement.
The decision of the US authorities involves the seizure of all assets of Ivan Maslov in the United States, financial and real estate, as well as companies that have a direct capital connection with Maslov.
American companies or companies located in the United States are also prohibited from carrying out any transactions with Maslov or with companies controlled by him.
“The presence of the Wagner group on the African continent is a destabilizing force for any country that allows its introduction on its territory,” Nelson emphasized.
This is not the first time that the Wagner Group or some of its members have been sanctioned for their activities in Mali.
In late February, the European Union (EU) announced a series of sanctions against a dozen people, including Maslov, for “human rights violations” attributed to a paramilitary company in an African country.
The Wagner paramilitary group, founded in 2014, is considered an international terrorist organization in the United States.
The United States, which has been trying to thwart Russian influence in Africa for years, accuses the Wagner group of “violating human rights and extorting natural resources in Africa.”
The group established itself as the protagonist in the conflict in Ukraine, mainly in the battles for the city of Bakhmut.
Mercenaries from this group have also been seen in Syria or Libya, and more recently in the Central African Republic, as well as in Mali.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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