Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso denounce Ukraine’s support for terrorism in African Sahel region
Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso sent a joint letter to the UN Security Council, in which the three countries denounce “Ukraine’s support for terrorism in Africa, especially in the Sahel”.
The letter, addressed by the foreign ministers of the three countries allied with Russia, called on the Security Council, which Sierra Leone is chairing this August, to assume responsibility for Ukraine’s actions and prevent subversive acts that threaten regional, and continental stability.
Diplomats said the letter was distributed to the 15-member council late Tuesday and the Ukrainian foreign ministry has yet to respond.
Mali cut diplomatic ties with Ukraine earlier this month, accusing it of supporting terrorism, after a spokesman for Ukraine’s military intelligence agency said Azawad’s armed forces, which fought in late July in the Tinzaouatine region against elements of the Malian army, and the Russian Wagner Group, had received necessary information from the Ukrainian side.
In solidarity with Mali, Niger also severed its relations with Ukraine, but Kiev denied the accusations against it, calling them “baseless allegations” and the Permanent Strategic Framework for the Defense of the Azawad People denied receiving any Ukrainian support.
Ukraine has been at war with Russia for more than two years, and they are engaged in a fierce competition on the African continent at the same time.
Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso are considered Moscow’s allies since the military overthrew the civilian regimes in the three countries, where they turned their backs on France, the traditional partner of their countries, and approached the Russian side.
