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Niger Republic announced on Tuesday that it is severing diplomatic relations with Ukraine, effective immediately. The decision comes on the heels of accusations that Kyiv has been backing “terrorist groups”, a claim that has sparked a rift between the two nations.
The severing of diplomatic ties with Ukraine by Niger Republic and Mali comes as a direct response to the devastating losses incurred by the Malian army in late July.
The military setbacks, inflicted by a deadly combination of jihadist and separatist forces, have been partly attributed to Ukraine’s alleged actions, sparking a diplomatic fallout.
Niger’s government has vowed to take its grievances against Ukraine to the global stage, with spokesman Amadou Abdramane announcing plans to request a UN Security Council debate on Ukraine’s alleged “aggression”.
Niger and Mali, both governed by military regimes that seized power in recent coups, have embarked on a similar trajectory, scrapping defense pacts with France and instead seeking military assistance from Russia.
The July debacle in northern Mali proved costly for Russia’s Wagner paramilitary group, with multiple soldiers killed in action alongside their Malian counterparts. This incident underscores the perils faced by Russian mercenaries operating in the volatile region.
“The government of the Republic of Niger, in total solidarity with the government and people of Mali, decides in complete sovereignty to sever diplomatic relations between the Republic of Niger and Ukraine with immediate effect,” Abdramane said.
Read also: Benin Jails Three Nigeriens As Diplomatic Dispute Escalates
Mali’s government spokesman Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga said Sunday that Mali broke off relations following remarks by Andriy Yusov, spokesman for Ukraine’s military intelligence agency the GUR.
Yusov was quoted by state media as saying: “The rebels received all the necessary information they needed,” without elaborating.
“The government of the Republic of Niger learned with great amazement and deep indignation, the subversive and unacceptable remarks of Mr. Andriy Yusov,” Abdramane said in his statement.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry pushed back on Monday against accusations from Mali’s transitional government, asserting that Ukraine unwaveringly adheres to international law.
The ministry expressed regret over Bamako’s decision, characterizing it as “hasty” and reiterating Ukraine’s firm rejection of the allegations.
A fierce and intense battle raged for three days near the Algerian border, starting on July 25, as rival forces clashed at the strategic military camp of Tinzaouatene, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in its wake.
Tuareg-led separatists declared on Thursday that they had inflicted heavy casualties on their opponents, killing 84 Wagner fighters and 47 Malian troops, in a bold statement that highlighted their military prowess.
Mali’s military has owned up to suffering a considerable number of deaths in the recent battles, characterizing the toll as “large”, but has stopped short of releasing precise figures, leaving many questions unanswered.
