Niger Republic announced on Tuesday that it was severing diplomatic ties with Ukraine, accusing Kyiv of supporting “terrorist groups.” This move follows a similar action by Mali two days earlier.
The government of Niger said it would request the UN Security Council to debate Ukraine’s “aggression.” Government spokesman Amadou Abdramane stated in a televised address, “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.”
The decision comes in the wake of severe losses suffered by the Malian army in late July at the hands of jihadists and separatist forces, which were partly attributed to Ukraine. Niger and Mali, both governed by military regimes that seized power in recent coups, have ended defense agreements with France and turned to Russia for military assistance.
Several soldiers from Russia’s Wagner paramilitary group were reportedly killed alongside Malian soldiers during the July conflict in northern Mali. Abdramane expressed Niger’s indignation over the remarks by Andriy Yusov, spokesman for Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, who was quoted as saying, “The rebels received all the necessary information they needed,” without further elaboration.
Mali’s government spokesman Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga commented on Sunday that Mali had broken off relations following Yusov’s statements. “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.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry responded on Monday, stating that Ukraine “unconditionally adheres to the norms of international law” and “firmly rejects the accusations of the transitional government of Mali,” while regretting Bamako’s “hasty” decision.
The conflict near the Algerian border began on July 25 at a military camp at Tinzaouatene, with Tuareg-led separatists claiming to have killed 84 fighters from Wagner and 47 Malian soldiers. Mali’s army acknowledged a “large number” of deaths but has not provided specific figures.
