Kyiv has condemned Mali’s decision to sever diplomatic ties, accusing the African nation of acting hastily and without evidence. The dispute arose from accusations that Ukraine provided intelligence to separatist rebels in Mali, leading to the deaths of dozens of Wagner mercenaries and Malian soldiers in a battle last month.
Mali’s government, which came to power in a 2020 coup, has accused Kyiv of aiding the rebels and cited a statement from a Ukrainian military intelligence spokesperson that they claim admits involvement. However, Ukraine’s foreign ministry maintains that the decision to break ties is “short-sighted and hasty” and criticizes Russia’s military presence in Africa.
The statement from Ukraine’s military intelligence spokesperson, Andriy Yusov, simply confirmed that the rebels had received the necessary information, without elaborating on the source. The ministry further condemns the actions of the Wagner group, a private military company with close ties to the Kremlin, which has been active across Africa for several years.
The West African nation’s junta, under Colonel Assimi Goita, has sought to regain control of the country from separatists and jihadist forces linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group. In a shift away from its traditional alliance with France, Mali has turned towards Russia for support, further escalating tensions in the region.
