Florence Parly spoke on France 24 and RFI from the Senegalese capital where the Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa is being held.
The Minister of the Armed Forces explains that the violence against a French military convoy in Burkina Faso and Mali at the end of November was sparked by a disinformation campaign aimed at maintaining an "anti-French discourse".
Without citing Russia, she asserts that "a number of competitors" seek to undermine the legitimacy of the French operation by spreading lies, in particular that according to which France is arming the jihadists.
She says that a joint investigative work with the Nigerien authorities to determine the circumstances of the incidents that caused deaths and injuries.
>> Read also: In Mali, a new war of influence between France and Russia
According to Florence Parly, the Malian authorities are seeking military support from the Russian security company Wagner in order to stay in power beyond the announced date.
She affirms that everything will be done to prevent Wagner from settling in Mali and that the message has been passed very clearly to the Malian authorities.
"We must continue as we have been doing for weeks to warn the Malian authorities against the consequences that the arrival of Wagner could have in Mali," she said.
The summary of the week
France 24 invites you to come back to the news that marked the week
I subscribe
Take international news everywhere with you!
Download the France 24 application
google-play-badge_FR