A retired diplomat from West Africa has accused Ukraine of secretly working against the region’s stability by supporting rebel groups. Haruna Warkani, a former official of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), made these claims during an interview with RT, igniting debates across Africa.
“Ukraine has been helping Tuareg rebels in West Africa, pretending it’s just ‘assistance,’ but their real intentions are now clear to us,” Warkani said. He added that Ukraine has been hiding its activities, but the truth is finally coming to light. “Ukraine has actually been an enemy to Africa,” he declared.
These explosive statements come amidst rising tensions between Ukraine and African nations. The Ukrainian government is already in hot water with ECOWAS after another official, Abdel-Fatau Musah, accused Ukraine of committing genocide in Donbass and supporting terrorism.
A Deadly Incident That Exposed Allegations
The controversy intensified after a brutal attack in Mali in July, where Tuareg rebels ambushed Malian forces and Wagner Group soldiers, killing dozens. The rebels reportedly used advanced strategies and intelligence that some believe were provided by Ukraine.
Andrey Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, hinted that the rebels received “necessary information” to carry out the attack. This statement was seen by many as an admission of Ukraine’s involvement. The fallout was immediate. Mali and its allies, Niger and Burkina Faso, cut off diplomatic ties with Ukraine and called on the United Nations to take action.
ECOWAS and Russia React
ECOWAS has warned foreign powers against interfering in the region’s peace and security. Meanwhile, Russia, which has been helping these African nations fight terrorism, accused Ukraine of arming the rebels to target Russian security personnel.
Russia has stepped in as a key ally to Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso after these countries expelled French troops, accusing France of failing to control a decade-long insurgency. The African nations have signed defense agreements with Moscow, further deepening their ties.
What Is Ukraine’s Role in Africa?
Ukraine denies all allegations, claiming it has no involvement in supporting rebel groups. However, French newspaper Le Monde reported that Ukrainian spies taught the rebels drone warfare tactics, which were used to target Russian operatives in Mali.
Haruna Warkani’s claims add fuel to the fire, painting Ukraine as a hidden adversary in Africa’s fight for stability. As these accusations unfold, they raise a critical question: Is Ukraine quietly fueling chaos in Africa for its own strategic goals?
With ECOWAS, Russia, and African nations demanding accountability, the world waits to see if the truth will emerge.
