Niger Republic Cuts Ties With Ukraine Over Alleged Support For Terrorists

The Niger Republic has announced the immediate severance of diplomatic relations with Ukraine.

The African country cited allegations that Kyiv supports terrorist organizations.

Naija News reports that this decision follows a similar move by Mali just two days prior.

The decision to cut ties with Ukraine is linked to significant losses incurred by the Malian military in late July due to attacks from jihadist and separatist groups, which they attribute, in part, to Ukraine’s involvement.

Niger has indicated its intention to request a discussion at the UN Security Council regarding what it describes as Ukraine’s aggression, as stated by government spokesman Amadou Abdramane during a televised address.

Both Niger and Mali are currently governed by military regimes that emerged from recent coups, which have led them to terminate defence agreements with France and seek military assistance from Russia.

Reports have emerged indicating that several members of Russia’s Wagner paramilitary group were killed alongside Malian forces during the July incident in the northern region of the country.

“The government of the Republic of Niger, in total solidarity with the government and people of Mali, decides in complete sovereignty to sever diplomatic relations between the Republic of Niger and Ukraine with immediate effect,” Abdramane said.

Mali’s government spokesman Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga said Sunday that Mali broke off relations following remarks by Andriy Yusov, spokesman for Ukraine’s military intelligence agency the GUR.

State media quoted Yusov as saying: “The rebels received all the necessary information they needed,” without elaborating.

“The government of the Republic of Niger learned with great amazement and deep indignation, the subversive and unacceptable remarks of Mr. Andriy Yusov,” Abdramane said in his statement.

On Monday, the Ukrainian foreign ministry stated that Ukraine “unconditionally adheres to the principles of international law” and “strongly refutes the claims made by the transitional government of Mali,” expressing regret over Bamako’s “premature” decision.

Intense clashes broke out on July 25 near the Algerian border at a military facility in Tinzaouatene.

Tuareg-led separatists reported on Thursday that they had eliminated 84 Wagner fighters and 47 soldiers from Mali.

The Malian military has acknowledged that it incurred a “significant number” of casualties during the conflict, although it has not disclosed specific figures.