Mali announced on Sunday (Aug 4) that it is severing diplomatic relations with Ukraine following an admission of Ukrainian involvement in a recent deadly terrorist attack in the country.
“The transitional government of the Republic of Mali has learned, with deep shock, of the subversive remarks by Mr. Andriy Yusov, spokesperson for the Ukrainian military intelligence agency, admitting Ukraine’s involvement in a cowardly, treacherous, and barbaric attack by armed terrorist groups. This attack resulted in the deaths of Malian defence and security forces in Tinzaouaten, as well as material damage,” said government spokesman Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga in a statement.
High number of Russian and Malian military personnel killed
The Malian army reported a high death toll following clashes in Tinzaouaten in the north of the country. The Russian-affiliated Wagner Group, supporting the Malian army, confirmed Russian losses, including the death of a commander in the heavy fighting.
Yurii Pyvovarov, Ukraine’s ambassador to Senegal, further reinforced these comments by openly supporting international terrorism, particularly in Mali, according to Maiga.
Maiga stated that Ukrainian officials have exacerbated the situation by announcing “more results to come.”
“These extremely serious accusations, which have not been denied, show the Ukrainian government’s official support for terrorism in Africa, in the Sahel, and more specifically in Mali.”
The remarks by Yusov and Pyvovarov “constitute acts of terrorism and an apology for terrorism,” he added.
Diplomatic ties cut
In response, the Malian government has decided to immediately break off diplomatic relations, refer the matter to judicial authorities, and take measures to prevent any destabilization of Mali by terrorists disguised as diplomats. They will formally alert regional and international bodies, as well as states supporting Ukraine, to the fact that Ukraine has openly and publicly supported terrorism.
Mali considers support for Ukraine as support for international terrorism and an act of aggression, which is part of “the broader pattern of certain actors who actively support and instrumentalize terrorist groups in the region.”
