Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield
U.S. Representative to the United Nations
New York, New York
August 25, 2023
AS DELIVERED
QUESTION: Madam Ambassador, today the Security Council was talking about the fight against terrorism. With the death of Wagner Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, and the future of Wagner’s mercenary, military operations in countries – including Mali, Burkina Faso – where terrorism is rampant, and the future is in question – what should the United States and its partners be doing to try to stabilize the situation in those countries, including Niger?
AMBASSADOR LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD: You know, we have been working very, very closely with all of our partners and our allies in the region – the regional leaders, in particular, ECOWAS, to find a diplomatic path to ending the conflict and bringing back a democratically-elected government and institutions in Niger.
I really don’t have any comment on Wagner. Our position on Wagner is very well known. Their actions and their activities in Africa are destabilizing. And we have encouraged countries in Africa to condemn their presence, as well as their actions. Thank you.
QUESTION: How will his death affect the draw-down of MINUSMA, then? Are you worried that it will have a negative impact on peacekeeping forces there?
AMBASSADOR THOMAS-GREENFIELD: We have been worried that MINUSMA’s draw-down will have an impact on stability and peace in Mali. I don’t have any – again – comment on Prigozhin’s death. Our views on the destabilizing role they played are clear.
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