Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have formally requested that the United Nations Security Council condemn the Ukrainian government for its alleged support of international terrorism in Africa’s Sahel region.
This request comes after recent statements from Ukrainian officials that have implied Ukraine’s involvement in attacks carried out by Tuareg separatists leading to the deaths of numerous Malian soldiers in the village of Tinzawaten last month, near the Algerian border.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the three nations expressed their concern at the remarks made by Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukrainian military intelligence. The ministers condemned what they described as Ukraine’s admission of involvement in “cowardly, barbaric, and criminal attacks” that took place from July 24 to 26. They noted that the spokesperson’s comments were corroborated by Yurii Pyvovarov, the Ukrainian ambassador to Senegal.
According to Yusov, the rebels were provided with the necessary information to carry out the attacks after allies of Russia’s Wagner Group in the Malian army confirmed “losses” in the clashes. The letter urged the Security Council to take action against these destabilising actions, which it claimed were strengthening terrorist groups in Africa.
”These acts also constitute a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our States, a clear aggression and support for international terrorism, in flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations and the relevant international conventions,” it adds.
In recent news, three nations governed by military juntas have united under a defence agreement as part of the Confederation of Sahel States.
The region of Tinzawaten has been the scene of conflict between separatist groups and the Malian military for the last ten years. Additionally, Mali and Niger recently cut diplomatic ties with Ukraine due to remarks made by a Ukrainian military official, implying that Kyiv was involved in attacks that took place in July.