Niger has severed diplomatic relations with Ukraine, a move that reflects growing disagreements between several West African states and Kyiv.
Niger’s military government said it took the decision as a sign of “solidarity” with neighboring Mali, which itself cut ties with Ukraine two days ago.
Both countries cited comments by a Ukrainian military official which pointed to Ukraine playing a role in the killing of dozens of Malian soldiers last month.
Ukraine has tried to gain allies in Africa during its war against Russia, likely in an effort to counter Moscow’s growing influence on the continent.
In late July, dozens of Malian soldiers, as well as mercenaries from the Russian Wagner group, were killed in clashes with separatist rebels and militants linked to Al-Qaeda.
Mali’s military regime turned to the notorious Wagner group in 2021, seeking support to deal with its crippling insecurity problems.
After Wagner confirmed “losses” in the July attack, Andriy Yusov, a spokesman for Ukrainian military intelligence, said the rebels had received “the necessary information they needed” to carry out the attacks. He gave no other details.
In response to Mr. Yusov, Mali accused Ukraine of violating its sovereignty and announced that it was cutting ties with Ukraine “with immediate effect”.
Niger followed on Tuesday, with government spokesman Amadou Abdramane describing Mr. Yusov’s comment as “unacceptable”.
Mali’s neighbor, Senegal, also scolded Ukraine.
Over the weekend, Senegal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Ukraine’s ambassador, Yurii Pyvovarov, accusing him of supporting the July attack in Mali in a now-deleted video posted on the country’s Facebook account.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has not yet commented on Niger’s decision to sever diplomatic relations.
However, it called Mali’s decision “short and hasty” and said Ukraine was “unconditionally” in compliance with international law and accused Russian-controlled groups of “numerous war crimes” in African countries.
Russia spoke out on the issue on Wednesday, accusing Ukraine of opening a “second front” in Africa.
“The regime of [Ukrainian President] Zelensky is pandering to terrorist groups in countries on the continent friendly to Moscow,” Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told the RIA Novosti news agency.
In recent years, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have experienced coups and their new military governments have broken defense agreements with France and the United States, preferring military aid from Russia.
As Russia’s popularity on the continent grows, Ukraine has sought to strengthen its ties with African countries.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is making his fourth visit to Africa in two years. This time he will go to Malawi, Zambia and Mauritius.
At the moment, it is not clear whether other West African countries will follow the example of Niger and Mali in cutting ties with Ukraine.
Many are waiting to see the reaction of Burkina Faso, which formed a bloc with Niger and Mali earlier this year and is also ruled by the military.
West Africa is not the only region affected by the war between Ukraine and Russia.
In Sudan, Wagner is accused of supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary organization that has been fighting the Sudanese army for more than a year.
Widely circulated videos show Ukrainian special forces carrying out drone strikes and other armed attacks against RSF and Wagner fighters in Sudan.
The BBC was unable to verify these videos.
As the war between Russia and Ukraine continues in Africa, more than 70 mourners gathered in Moscow to honor the Wagner fighters killed in the July attack.
Red carnations were placed under photos of fallen warriors at a memorial on Sunday, Reuters news agency reported, while some attendees lit candles.
Source: BBC News
