The transitional governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have formally accused Ukraine of supporting rebel groups in West Africa’s Sahel region.
In a letter addressed to the United Nations Security Council, the three nations expressed concerns over Ukraine’s alleged involvement in destabilizing the region.
This diplomatic rift began earlier this month when Mali severed ties with Ukraine. The move came in response to comments made by a spokesperson from Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, which suggested that Malian rebels had received critical information to carry out a deadly attack in Mali’s northern region in late July. The attack resulted in the deaths of Malian soldiers and Russian Wagner mercenaries.
Following Mali’s decision, Niger also cut diplomatic relations with Ukraine, citing solidarity with its neighbor. Both Mali and Niger have accused Ukraine of supporting “international terrorism,” a charge that Ukraine has vehemently denied. A Tuareg rebel alliance, which claimed responsibility for the attack, also denied receiving any support from Ukraine.
In their letter to the UN Security Council, the foreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger called on the international body to hold Ukraine accountable for its alleged actions and to prevent any further “subversive acts” that threaten the stability of the Sahel region and the African continent as a whole.
The letter, which was posted on the X account of the Alliance of Sahel States—a coalition formed by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger following their recent coups—was circulated to the 15-member Security Council on Tuesday evening, according to diplomats.
As of now, Ukraine’s foreign ministry has not responded to these allegations. The country remains embroiled in a prolonged conflict with Russia, more than two years after Moscow’s full-scale invasion.
Report by Soleiman Kabore