Mauritanian President Mohamed Ahmed Ould Ghazouani has stated that his government has no intention of inviting mercenaries from Russia’s Wagner group to assist in the fight against Islamist insurgents.
Countries in the Sahel region, including Mauritania’s neighbor Mali, are fighting a Jihadist insurgency with fighters from a shadowy private military company.
“It’s simply not the case… we are and will remain a sovereign country,” Mr. Ghazouani told the BBC’s, Caroline Loyer.
He also denied being approached by the Wagner group but stated that he would not pass judgment on neighboring countries that have ties to the group.
“We hope that these partnerships are effective and that if the goals are achieved, that they are done in accordance with human rights,” he said.
