BRUSSELS - The EU on Saturday announced additional sanctions against Russia’s Wagner mercenary organisation for “human rights abuses” in the Central African Republic, Mali, Sudan and Ukraine.
The latest additional sanctions were decided “in view of the international dimension and gravity of the group’s activities, as well as its destabilising impact on the countries where it is active”, said a statement from the European Council. The European Council said eight of the individuals and the seven entities listed came under the EU’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime for Wagner’s activities in the Central African Republic and Sudan.The other two Wagner individuals were listed under the EU’s sanctions regime punishing Russia for its war in Ukraine, which was also updated on Saturday.In Mali, the EU sanctioned the head of Wagner’s forces there.
Wagner has been involved in the Central African Republic at Mr Touadera’s invitation to quell a rebellion, and their presence also forced French troops there to leave last year.