Niger cuts diplomatic ties with Ukraine over Mali conflict remarks

Niger has severed diplomatic ties with Ukraine over alleged support for groups involved in deadly fighting in Mali.

Niger’s junta announced on Tuesday that it has severed diplomatic ties with Ukraine, citing comments from Ukrainian officials that appeared to support groups involved in deadly clashes in neighboring Mali.

These remarks came after a July incident in northern Mali, where Tuareg rebels claimed to have killed 84 Wagner mercenaries and 47 Malian soldiers.

The incident marked Wagner’s heaviest defeat since its involvement in Mali began two years ago to assist the military authorities against insurgent groups.

In a televised address, Niger’s spokesperson Abdourahamane Amadou stated that the decision to cut ties with Ukraine was made in solidarity with Mali.

This move follows Mali’s own decision on Sunday to sever relations with Kyiv after Ukraine’s military spy agency spokesperson, Andriy Yusov, suggested that Malian rebels had received “necessary” information to conduct the attack.

Ukraine condemned Mali’s decision as short-sighted and hasty, rejecting the allegations of supporting international terrorism.

Additionally, Ukrainian Ambassador Yurii Pyvovarov faced backlash from West African nations, including Senegal, where the Foreign Minister summoned him over a video posted on the Embassy’s Facebook page that seemed to support the attack in Mali.

This diplomatic rift occurs as Ukraine seeks to gain broader support, particularly in the Global South, amidst its ongoing efforts to bolster international alliances.