Western sources say that the mercenary company Wagner is arming the RSF forces fighting the army in Sudan. Wagner denies the information.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says that Sudan has the right to use the services of the Russian mercenary company Wagner.
Lavrov commented on the issue at his press conference at the UN, where he also accused the European Union of militarization.
Foreign minister Pekka Haavisto warned earlier this week that Wagner might gain more ground in Sudan.
Haavisto urged outsiders, such as the EU, to play a more active role in Sudan in order to bring an end to the raging fighting in the country. Otherwise, according to him, the fighting may spread outside of Sudan and also cause a new wave of refugees.
In addition, Haavisto warned of the consequences if all foreigners leave Sudan.
– If we leave, we will leave room for the Wagner forces and Russia to operate there, Haavisto said when he arrived at the EU foreign ministers’ meeting at the beginning of the week.
Western sources estimate that Wagner is assisting the RSF forces
Last week, an American news channel CNN rated (you will switch to another service), that Wagner would supply weapons and missiles to the RSF forces fighting in Sudan. CNN cites Sudanese and other diplomatic sources in the region.
The bloody power struggle between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary RSF has continued in Sudan for a week and a half.
Western diplomats have said even before the current fighting began that Wagner was involved in illegal gold mining in Sudan.
Wagner, on the other hand, has denied that it works in Sudan. The mercenary company said last week on the Telegram messaging service that it does not operate in Sudan and is not involved in the ongoing fighting.
– Wagner’s forces have not been in Sudan for more than two years, the group announced.
Yevgeny Prigozhin the mercenary company he leads is known to play a significant role as part of Russian forces in Ukraine.