Mali Cuts Ties with Ukraine Over Controversial Remarks
Mali has elected to sever diplomatic relations with Ukraine in the wake of contentious remarks made by a senior official acknowledging Ukraine’s involvement in a significant defeat in July. This defeat led to the deaths of multiple mercenaries from Russia’s Wagner group and Malian soldiers.
The conflict transpired in the northern region of the West African nation, where Tuareg rebels purportedly claimed the lives of at least 84 mercenaries and 47 Malian soldiers during three days of intense clashes. This defeat is purportedly one of the most severe for Wagner since their engagement in the conflict two years ago.
The determination to terminate diplomatic ties was reached after Andriy Yusov, the spokesperson for Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, openly declared that the Malian rebels had received all necessary information from Ukraine to execute their operation against the Russian mercenaries. Mali expressed profound dismay at these remarks and accused Ukraine of dishonorably and deceitfully participating in the assault by armed terrorist factions.
Ukraine’s Ambassador to Senegal, Yurii Pyvovarov, also faced censure after offering what Mali perceived as “unambiguous and unqualified support for the terrorist attack” in Mali. Mali deemed these actions as a transgression of its sovereignty and reprehensible foreign intervention and backing of international terrorism.
The dispute that triggered the decision to sever diplomatic relations unfolded near the Algerian border at a military encampment in Tinzaouatene, where Mali’s military conceded to sustaining a notable number of casualties. However, the army has not disclosed specific figures regarding the losses.
Mali’s choice to terminate relations with Ukraine arises amidst ongoing support from Russia, as Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov recently reiterated his backing for the Malian government in a telephonic conversation with his Malian counterpart Abdoulaye Diop.
Mali’s military junta, which seized control in a coup in 2020, has made the recovery of the country from separatist and extremist groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS a top priority. In the pursuit of this objective, Mali has bolstered its connections with Russia, resulting in the presence of Wagner in the region.
The mercenary group is believed to have roughly 1,000 combatants in Mali and has been accused of involvement in incursions and drone strikes leading to civilian casualties. Malian authorities have disavowed these accusations.
As tensions continue to escalate in the region, Mali’s decision to sever diplomatic ties with Ukraine signifies a significant shift in international relations and underscores the intricate geopolitical dynamics at play in the Sahel region.
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