France Laments As Former Colony Formed Military Alliance With Russia

Mali&#039;s interim prime minister, Choguel Maïga, has accused France of abandoning the nation "mid-flight" after the European country decided to reduce its troops thereby up to half.<br />Mr Maïga criticised the unilateral announcement adding that it leads them to explore pathways and means to better ensure their security autonomously, or with other partners.<br />This has been interpreted as a reference to Mali reportedly asking Russian mercenaries to train its military and boost national security, despite recent reports of abuses by Russian mercenaries elsewhere in the continent.