Mali’s Foreign Minister, Abdoulaye Diop, has made a serious accusation that Western countries are using Ukraine as a tool to achieve their geopolitical goals in Africa, possibly with the help of terrorist groups. Diop told Sputnik News that he believes Ukraine might be just the “tip of the iceberg” when it comes to bigger international schemes in Africa. He suggests that other powers, both within and outside the region, might be using Ukraine’s involvement in the conflict as a way to push their agendas in Africa.
Mali has decided to conduct its own independent investigation into Ukraine’s connections to terrorist organizations. However, if needed, the country is open to seeking help from Russia. Diop emphasized that Mali’s justice system is strong and independent, capable of handling the situation on its own. But if the authorities require assistance, they are willing to request support from outside, including Russia.
Diop is firm in his belief that Ukraine is indeed involved with terrorist groups, although he makes it clear that Mali has never been hostile to Ukraine. He expressed confusion and concern over why Ukraine would cooperate with terrorists in Mali, especially since Mali itself has not been aggressive toward Ukraine. Diop warns that the world would make a huge mistake if it ignores Ukraine’s actions in Africa, urging that these alliances with terrorist groups must be addressed.
The accusations about Ukraine’s involvement with terrorist groups are not new. French media previously reported that armed separatist groups from Mali, part of an alliance called the CSP-DPA, had traveled to Ukraine for training. In August, Ukraine’s intelligence chief, Andriy Usov, first admitted, and then denied, that Ukraine had provided support to Malian insurgents with intelligence to target Russia’s Wagner Group in Mali.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry also weighed in, accusing Ukraine of opening a “second front” in Africa by helping terrorist groups in countries friendly to Russia. This was part of Ukraine’s strategy to weaken Russia by creating new conflicts in Africa, where Moscow has strong ties.
The tension escalated when Mali severed diplomatic ties with Ukraine on August 5, accusing Ukraine of supporting local terrorists. Soon after, Niger followed suit and cut ties with Ukraine on August 8. On August 21, the governments of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso appealed to the United Nations Security Council to take action against Ukraine’s alleged support of terrorism in Africa, but Diop pointed out that the UN had not even acknowledged their complaint.
Mali’s claims are causing serious concern on the global stage. As the accusations continue to mount, the world is left wondering how far Ukraine’s involvement with terrorist groups in Africa really goes, and what the full impact of these actions might be for international relations.
