BAMAKO, Mali: Mali announced that it is breaking diplomatic relations with Ukraine, following accusations that Kyiv played a role in a significant defeat suffered by Malian troops in late July.
The clash, which occurred in northern Mali, involved casualties from the Russian mercenary group Wagner. Malian authorities have attributed the attack to separatists and jihadists.
The decision to cut ties was made “with immediate effect,” according to government spokesman Col. Abdoulaye Maiga. The Malian government was reportedly taken aback by statements made by Andriy Yusov, a spokesman for Ukraine’s military intelligence agency GUR. Yusov allegedly acknowledged Ukraine’s involvement in the attack, describing it as “cowardly, treacherous, and barbaric.”
During an appearance on Ukrainian television, Yusov stated that the rebels had obtained crucial data enabling them to execute their operation against “Russian war criminals.” These remarks were perceived by Mali as a direct violation of its sovereignty and unacceptable foreign interference. The Malian government also accused Ukraine of supporting international terrorism.
The conflict erupted on July 25 near the Algerian border at a military camp in Tinzaouatene, leading to three days of intense fighting. Tuareg-led separatists later claimed responsibility for the deaths of 84 Wagner fighters and 47 Malian soldiers. Malian Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga admitted that they had “lost a battle” at Tinzaouatene, but the Malian army has yet to release official casualty figures.
This development follows Mali’s shift in foreign alliances. After a 2020 coup, the military junta led by Col. Assimi Goita ended its traditional alliance with France and turned towards Russia for support. This week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s backing for Mali in a phone call with Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop.
The break in diplomatic relations with Ukraine marks a significant escalation in Mali’s ongoing conflict and underscores the complex international dynamics at play in the region.
