The military juntas of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have jointly denounced Ukraine’s alleged support for rebel groups in the West African Sahel region.
In a letter addressed to the United Nations Security Council, the countries accused Ukraine of providing information and assistance to rebels operating in Mali, contributing to the ongoing conflict.
The dispute escalated following comments made by a spokesperson for Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, who suggested that Malian rebels had received crucial information to carry out a successful operation against Malian soldiers and Russian Wagner mercenaries.
Mali and Niger interpreted these remarks as direct involvement in the conflict and accused Ukraine of supporting international terrorism.
Ukraine has consistently denied these allegations, asserting that they are baseless and untrue.
However, the countries remain steadfast in their accusations, citing the comments as evidence of Ukraine’s support for rebel groups.
The conflict in Mali has been marked by violence and instability, with both ethnic Tuareg separatists and insurgents operating in the northern regions.
Recent clashes between Tuareg rebels and Wagner mercenaries have resulted in significant casualties, with both sides claiming heavy losses.
In their letter to the Security Council, the foreign ministers of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso urged the international body to take action against Ukraine, citing its alleged subversive activities as a threat to regional and continental stability.
The letter was circulated to the 15-member Security Council on Tuesday evening.
The accusations against Ukraine come at a time when the countries have increasingly turned to Russia for support.
Since the juntas took power in recent years, they have distanced themselves from traditional Western and regional allies.
The ongoing conflict in Mali and the allegations against Ukraine further highlight the shifting dynamics in the region.