Niger has severed diplomatic ties with Ukraine, joining Mali in a growing rift between West African nations and Kyiv. The move comes after a Ukrainian military official’s comments sparked outrage, suggesting Ukraine played a role in the killing of dozens of Malian soldiers last month.
Mali and Niger have accused Ukraine of violating their sovereignty, citing remarks by Andriy Yusov, a spokesman for Ukrainian military intelligence. Yusov hinted that Ukraine provided crucial information to rebels, leading to the deaths of Malian soldiers and Russian mercenaries in July’s clashes.
Ukraine has been attempting to bolster its African alliances amid the ongoing war with Russia, which has expanding influence on the continent. However, the comments have backfired, with Mali and Niger cutting ties and Senegal rebuking Ukraine.
Russia has seized on the situation, accusing Ukraine of supporting terrorist groups in Africa and opening a “second front” on the continent. Ukraine’s foreign ministry has denied the allegations, calling Mali’s decision “short-sighted and hasty” and accusing Russian-controlled groups of committing war crimes.
As Ukraine’s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba visits African nations, the situation remains uncertain, with other West African countries potentially following Niger and Mali’s lead. The rift highlights the far-reaching consequences of the Ukraine-Russia war, with implications for global geopolitics and regional security.
