Wagner mercenaries to maintain presence in Africa, confirms Lavrov.

Russia's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, stated that the Wagner mercenary group will continue its operations in Mali and the Central African Republic despite its leader's aborted insurrection over the weekend. Lavrov also accused Europe and France of abandoning the two African countries, which had in turn asked Russia and Wagner to provide military instructors and ensure the security of their leaders. Western powers believe the Wagner group is used to promote Russia's influence abroad and have accused the group of torture and exploiting natural resources.