Nigerien Junta Breaks Diplomatic Ties With Ukraine

Niger has severed diplomatic ties with Ukraine, a move that signals a growing rift between several West African countries and Kiev.

Niger’s military government said it took the step in “solidarity” with neighboring Mali, which severed ties with Ukraine two days ago.

Both countries cited statements by a Ukrainian military official suggesting that Kiev played a role in the killing of dozens of Malian soldiers last month.

Ukraine has been trying to recruit allies in Africa since the war with Russia. This is probably an attempt to counter Moscow’s growing influence on the continent.

In late July, dozens of Malian soldiers, along with mercenaries from the Russian Wagner group, were killed in clashes with separatist rebels and al-Qaeda-linked militants.

Mali’s military regime turned to the notorious Wagner Group in 2021 for support in tackling dire insecurity concerns.

After Wagner confirmed the “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 did not elaborate further.

In response to Mr Yusov’s remarks, Mali accused Ukraine of violating its sovereignty and announced that it would break off relations with Ukraine “with immediate effect”.

Niger followed suit on Tuesday, with government spokesman Amadou Abdramane calling Yusov’s comments “unacceptable”.

Senegal, Mali’s neighbor, also criticized Ukraine.

This past weekend, Senegal’s Foreign Ministry summoned Ukrainian Ambassador Yurii Pyvovarov, accusing him of supporting the July attack in Mali. This video has since been removed and was posted on the Ukrainian embassy’s Facebook account.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has not yet commented on Niger’s decision to sever diplomatic relations.

However, it called Mali’s decision “short-sighted and hasty” and said Ukraine “unconditionally” complies with international law. It also accused Russian-controlled organizations of “numerous war crimes” in African countries.

Russia weighed in 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 that are friendly to Moscow,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told the RIA Novosti news agency.

In recent years, coups have taken place in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. The new military governments have torn up defense agreements with France and the US, preferring military aid from Russia.

As Russia’s popularity on the continent grows, Ukraine is seeking to strengthen ties with African countries.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is currently on his fourth visit to Africa in the past two years, this time visiting Malawi, Zambia and Mauritius.

It is currently difficult to say whether other West African countries will follow the example of Niger and Mali and cut ties with Ukraine.

Many will be waiting for the response from 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 said to be supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been at war with the Sudanese army for more than a year.

Meanwhile, videos have been widely circulated showing Ukrainian special forces allegedly carrying out drone strikes and other armed attacks on RSF and Wagner fighters in Sudan.

The BBC has been unable to verify these videos.

As the war between Russia and Ukraine in Africa continued, more than 70 people gathered in Moscow to pay tribute to the Wagner fighters who died in the July attack.

Red carnations were laid under photos of fallen fighters at a memorial service on Sunday, Reuters news agency reported, while some attendees lit candles.