(Washington) The United States on Wednesday accused a Russian group of mercenaries of having laid mines in the Tripoli region, in violation of a United Nations arms embargo on Libya.
Published on 15 July 2020 at 17 h 31
France Media Agency
The US Command for Africa (AFRICOM) said in a statement that it had “clear evidence that the Wagner group, sponsored and employed by the Russian state, laid down landmines and improvised explosive devices” in the Libyan capital and its surroundings.
“Verified photographic evidence shows indiscriminate traps and minefields around the outskirts of Tripoli to Syrthe since mid-June,” he said.
The Wagner group, reputed to be close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, displays “a total disregard for the safety and security of Libyans”, denounced in the press release the director of operations of AFRICOM, General Bradford Gering .
“The irresponsible tactics of the Wagner group prolong the conflict and are responsible for unnecessary suffering and the death of innocent civilians. Russia has the power to stop them, but not the will, ”he added.
Washington regularly accuses Moscow of interfering in the conflict in Libya by introducing weapons, including fighter planes, in violation of an arms embargo decreed in 2011 by the UN for the country of North Africa.
Russia, alongside notably the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, supports the strongman of eastern Libya, Marshal Khalifa Haftar, who has been trying since April 2019 to take Tripoli by force.
Its offensive has suffered major setbacks since the start of the year and the implication of Turkey with its adversary, the Government of National Unity (GNA) based in the Libyan capital and recognized by the community international.
The battle is now organized around the strategic city of Sirte, controlled by the pro-Haftar.
New sanctions
According to surveys by many Russian and Western media, the Wagner group is funded by Evguéni Prigojine, a close friend of President Vladimir Poutine.
The businessman, who has repeatedly denied any link with the Wagner group, is already subject to American sanctions as part of the vast investigation carried out by special prosecutor Robert Mueller on the Russian interference in the presidential election of 2016.
But the US Treasury announced Wednesday new sanctions against entities controlled by Mr. Prigojine in Sudan, Hong Kong and Thailand and which according to Washington allow him to stay afloat.
In Sudan, Mr. Prigojine is accused of controlling the company M Invest, which would be a facade for the Wagner group.
The US Treasury claims that M Invest has obtained licenses to mine gold mines in Sudan, under the regime of ex-president Omar el-Bechir, removed from power in 2019.
“Evgueni Prigojine and his accomplices exploit the natural resources of Sudan for personal enrichment and to spread their harmful influence around the world,” said US Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin in a statement.
The United States will therefore seize the assets of M Invest in the United States and prohibit any transaction with this company.
The Treasury has also targeted companies in Hong Kong and Thailand which have carried out more than $ 7.5 million in transactions for the benefit of Mr. Prigojine. The funds notably enabled him to buy a private plane and finance M Invest’s activities in Sudan, the Treasury said.
