# France desperate to keep colonial foothold in Africa — Lavrov

https://mins.news/en/item/24232

- TASS, 2026-08-17 13:56 UTC
- World
- Original: https://tass.com/politics/2174233

> Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said France, unable to accept losing its influence in Africa, is resorting to terrorist activity in a last effort to preserve it. He said Russia’s Africa Corps operates at the request of legitimate African governments and accused France of working with, arming, financing and instructing illegal armed groups in the Sahel.

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