President Nana Akufo-Addo alleged in the course of the US-Africa Leaders Summit that Burkina Faso has employed Russian mercenaries.
Burkina Faso has summoned Ghana’s ambassador to protest allegations that the embattled Sahel nation has employed Russian mercenaries, the international ministry says.
The summons on Friday was issued after Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo alleged on Wednesday that Burkina Faso had employed the mercenaries.
“At present, Russian mercenaries are on our northern border. Burkina Faso has now entered into an association to go together with Mali in using the Wagner forces there,” Akufo-Addo stated on the US-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington.
Talking alongside United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Akufo-Addo additionally alleged that Burkina Faso had supplied Wagner a mine as cost.
In a press release issued after its assembly with Ghana’s ambassador, Burkina Faso’s Ministry of International Affairs stated it had “expressed disapproval” in regards to the statements made by the Ghanaian president.
“Ghana might have undertaken exchanges with the Burkinabe authorities on the safety problem with a view to have the proper info,” it stated.
Nonetheless, it didn't verify or deny the allegations. In a separate message to Reuters, a international ministry spokesperson stated, with out elaborating: “In any case, Burkina has not known as on Wagner.”
Burkina Faso additionally recalled its ambassador from Ghana for a gathering, the spokesperson stated.
Authorities in Ouagadougou haven't commented publicly on speculations of working with Wagner, a mercenary group that was employed in neighbouring Mali to assist combat armed teams.
In a response on Thursday to Akufo-Addo’s remarks, Wagner didn't straight tackle Ghana’s issues. However the response, attributed to Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin, accused Western governments and United Nations forces of finishing up a number of the offences Wagner has been accused of in Africa.
The prospect of Wagner increasing its presence in Africa has troubled Western powers comparable to France and the US, who say the group exploits mineral sources and commits human rights abuses in international locations the place it operates.
Burkina Faso’s authorities spokesman didn't reply calls and didn't reply to a message requesting remark.
An official at Ghana’s international ministry stated nobody was instantly obtainable for remark.
Burkina Faso is struggling to include a number of the identical armed teams current in Mali and, like its neighbour, is dominated by a army authorities that got here to energy on guarantees to enhance safety.
Mali’s choice to make use of Wagner forces final yr alienated it from its regional and Western allies and was one of many the reason why French forces pulled overseas.
Wagner forces have additionally fought in Libya, the Central African Republic and Mozambique.
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