Russia allegedly helped in the last coup in Mali. Russian personnel also participate in local campaign against jihadists. I remember last years in the anticolonial demonstrations there Malians waved Russian flags and called Russia for help, so relations seems to be quite good.

How extremely specific

Idk about Mali, but Russia did indeed have some involvement in CAR affairs. Supposedly that’s where “Wagner Group PMC” had its first action. In fact that’s when it has entered the media

I have nothing concrete to offer, but, unless a comrade familiar with the region comes along and invalidates this, I offer this food for thought.

Whoever feeds Blinken is unhappy with Wagner being there. And my best version is that they disrupted whatever was going on with French-trained terrorists. Might’ve been preparation for these days, might’ve been Chinese interest…

P.S. Syria? Look, I know these clowns breathe gaseous hypocrisy, but what about muh international law? Russian forces were officially requested and welcomed by the legitimate government. Unlike the yanks who’re stealing oil there to this day.