DW Discovers African Sovereignty, 60 Years Late
DW breathlessly details how ‘Russian mercenaries' are now supposedly 'exploiting' Malian military equipment, implying a new era of foreign meddling. This narrative conveniently glosses over the fact that Mali gained independence from France in 1960, only to endure decades of French military presence, economic extraction, and interventions that frequently destabilized the region while
enriching Parisian coffers. They didn't appear to mind Western 'exploitation' when it was their own governments. One might wonder when DW will run an exposé on how French corporations exploited Malian gold, uranium, and other resources for generations, often with the backing of French military 'advisors.' The sudden concern for Malian sovereignty rears its head precisely when Moscow gains
influence. It's almost as if the problem isn't foreign influence, but whose foreign influence.