West African juntas accuse Ukraine of aiding rebels in UN letter
In a letter addressed to the United Nations Security Council, the juntas of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger denounced Ukraine’s alleged support of rebel groups in the West African Sahel region, reported Reuters and agencies on August 21st.
The news comes following Mali cutting diplomatic ties with Ukraine at the start of August for comments made by a Ukrainian military intelligence agency spokesman. The statements by the official regarded the killing of Malian soldiers and Russian Wagner mercenaries who were fighting in the northern part of the country in late July.
Niger followed suit by also cutting ties in an act of solidarity with its neighbour.
The beginning of tensions started after the Ukrainian spokesperson stated that Malian rebels had received “necessary” information to conduct an attack in July.
The clash against Tuareg rebels resulted in at least 84 Wagner mercenaries and 47 Malian soldiers killed. The battle was perhaps the heaviest defeat for the Wagner group since it intervened in the conflict two years ago to support Mali’s junta in fighting insurgent groups.
READ: Ukraine being isolated from Sahel over Wagner row
Mali and Niger have both accused Ukraine of giving support to “international terrorism”.
Ukraine, however, has dismissed such allegations, calling them groundless and untrue. The Tuareg rebel alliance also announced that it received no support from Ukraine.
The foreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger asked the United Nations Security Council in their letter to “take responsibility” for Ukraine’s actions and to stop “subversive acts” that could threaten the stability of the region and broader continent in the future.
On August 20th, the letter was posted on an X account named the Alliance of Sahel States, the group formed by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger in the wake of their coups.
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Ukraine’s foreign ministry has not yet responded to requests to comment on the situation. The country has been embroiled in fierce fighting with Russia for more than two years.
Diplomats said the letter was circulated to all 15 members of the Security Council on the evening of August 20th.
The three West African nations of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, formally colonised by France, have distanced themselves from traditional Western and regional allies. Instead, the new juntas have turned to Russia for support for the last four years.
Reuters and agencies
