BloodGoldReport

The Blood Gold Report will be in Toronto this week for the @BarrickGold AGM on Tuesday- here’s why 🧵 (1/6)

Barrick Gold has begun the temporary suspension of operations at its Loulo-Gounkoto mining complex in Mali. If only there was a group of international researchers highlighting to them how their mining operations were helping fund Putin's war machine.....@BloodGoldReport

🧵1/5 On December 10, a dozen of citizens from #Mauritania were abducted by mercenaries from the Russian #AfricaCorps, who were accompanied by Malian soldiers. Negotiations are still ongoing to liberate these hostages. Vehicles were also seized.

🇲🇱|#Mali: Today, #FAMa and #Wagner forces reportedly targeted the predominantly #Tuareg village of Razelma, Tombouctou, burning the market and several houses.

Wagner fighters in Mali. Date unknown, probably archive. t.me/wagner_group20…

More images from the inauguration of the memorial to Wagner founders Yevgeny Prigozhin and Dmitry Utkin in Bangui.

🧵1/6 A monument honoring #Prigozhin and Utkin was just unveiled in Bangui, Central African Republic. For the first time, a statue representing #Wagner’s founding fathers has been built outside of #Russia. What is Wagner trying to achieve with this provocation? And why Bangui?👇

🇲🇱|#Mali: Today, #JNIM reportedly ambushed a #FAMa / #Wagner convoy between #Sevare and #Bandiagara, causing heavy losses.

Mali’s detention of mining executives last week is an escalation of tensions between both parties over the enforcement of a new code. But Barrick Gold CEO Mark Bristow tells @FT he’s confident of reaching a deal, w @lesliehook. on.ft.com/3YPmwyS

The UK government has become the first G7 country to impose direct sanctions against #AfricaCorps. A welcome step but dismantling Putin’s African #BloodGold system is vital in order to free the continent from his grip. reuters.com/world/europe/b…

#Mali🇲🇱 - The pro-#Wagner-Telegram channel "White Uncles in Africa" posted an undated photo that presumably shows a Wagner soldier operating a Malian Air Force L-39C Albatros jet.

"#Russia has combined diplomacy with gangsterism and colonial enterprise to advance its interests in #Africa...[In #CAR] mercenaries are developing a base to host 10,000 troops by 2030 and serve as a hub for Russian military operations." @TheEconomist economist.com/middle-east-an…

Ukrainian intelligence source has confirmed #Wagner aided a drone strike on 5 October, killing 7 civilians in #Mali. @KyivPost kyivpost.com/post/40231

It seems that FAMA and Wagner are on the move. Significant departure of vehicles from Kidal base.

#Russia has announced telecoms and surveillance satellite deals with #Mali, #Niger, and #BurkinaFaso. #Putin is further tightening his grip on the #Sahel. @RealPaulNjie @BBCNews bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

#Wagner's Telegram channel shows "Wagner fighters with local residents in the #CAR" Image: Telegram, 24 September

Wagner presidential security yesterday in CAR.

#Sudanese mining officials held talks this week with #Russia's ambassador in Port Sudan to explore ways to further expand Russia's role in the country's #gold mining sector. @AminSikka @business bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

"Africa is a key strategic target in Russia’s information war. The aim is to gain influence and access to resources... Russia has developed podcasts, films and news websites to shape pro-Russia narratives in Africa." @KarenAllenIntl @issafrica issafrica.org/iss-today/what…

"African Initiative defines itself as an “information bridge between #Russia and #Africa”... Its efforts have been particularly focused on the three military-run countries of #Mali, #Niger and #BurkinaFaso." @BBCWorld @mazinwonwu @Fawzeyah @MKorenyuk bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

Wagner fighter in Mali with a drone remote control in hand.