By Mali announced it is immediately cutting diplomatic ties with Ukraine following accusations that Ukrainian forces were involved in aiding a deadly rebel attack against Malian soldiers and Russian Wagner fighters in the northern part of the country. This announcement was made on Sunday, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions.
Mali’s northern Tuareg rebels claimed responsibility for the attack, stating they killed at least 84 Russian Wagner mercenaries and 47 Malian soldiers during several days of fierce fighting in the region. This area has seen increased conflict since the Wagner Group, a Russian paramilitary organization, began supporting Malian military authorities two years ago in their fight against insurgent groups.
The conflict, which took place in Mali’s northern desert regions, has been one of the bloodiest confrontations involving the Wagner Group, highlighting the volatile security situation in West Africa.
The accusations against Ukraine stemmed from comments made by Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (GUR). Although Yusov did not directly confirm Ukraine’s involvement, he suggested that the Tuareg rebels had received the “necessary” information to carry out a successful military operation against what he termed “Russian perpetrators of war crimes.”
In an interview published on public broadcaster Suspilne’s website on Monday, July 29, Yusov remarked, “The rebels received all the necessary information they needed, and not just the information, which allowed [them] to conduct a successful military operation against Russian perpetrators of war crimes. We certainly won’t go into details now – you will see more of this in the future,” he said.
Mali’s government reacted strongly to these comments, expressing “deep shock” at what they called “subversive remarks.” The Malian authorities accused Ukraine of supporting terrorist groups and claimed that Ukrainian involvement was a “cowardly, treacherous, and barbaric attack” that led to the deaths of members of the Malian Defense and Security Forces.
In response to these developments, Mali’s government announced it had expelled Ukrainian Ambassador Yuri Pivovarov and severed all diplomatic ties with Ukraine. In a statement, Mali’s foreign ministry condemned Ukraine’s alleged actions as a severe aggression against Mali and a threat to its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“This decision is motivated by the unacceptable behavior of Ukrainian authorities, who, through their actions, violated the sovereignty of Mali, an independent and sovereign nation, with a clear aggression against Mali and support for international terrorism,” the Malian government stated.
The expulsion of the ambassador and the severance of diplomatic ties mark a significant deterioration in relations between Mali and Ukraine, adding a new dimension to the geopolitical dynamics in the region.
The incident highlights the complex web of alliances and conflicts in West Africa, where multiple foreign actors, including Russian mercenaries, are involved in ongoing insurgencies. The involvement of external powers has further complicated efforts to stabilize the region, which is already grappling with long-standing ethnic and political tensions.
Mali’s decision to cut ties with Ukraine underscores the fragile political landscape in the Sahel region and the broader implications of foreign involvement in local conflicts. As the situation develops, it is likely to have significant repercussions for regional security and international diplomatic relations.
Credit: Reuters
