Africa Business Radio

Mali's interim prime minister, Choguel Maïga, has accused France of abandoning the nation "mid-flight" after the European country decided to reduce its troops thereby up to half.Mr Maïga criticised the unilateral announcement adding that it leads them to explore pathways and means to better ensure their security autonomously, or with other partners.This has been interpreted as a reference to Mali reportedly asking Russian mercenaries to train its military and boost national security, despite recent reports of abuses by Russian mercenaries elsewhere in the continent.