Mali Severs Diplomatic Relations with Ukraine Over Alleged Support for Rebel Attack

In Summary

• Mali announced it is cutting diplomatic ties with Ukraine, accusing Kyiv of involvement in a deadly attack that killed dozens of Russian Wagner mercenaries and Malian soldiers in late July.
• Tuareg rebels claimed responsibility for killing at least 84 Wagner mercenaries and 47 Malian soldiers over three days of intense fighting in northern Mali. This marks one of Wagner's heaviest losses since its involvement in Mali.
• Mali reacted strongly after Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukraine's military intelligence, stated that Malian rebels received information enabling them to carry out the attack against the Russian mercenaries. Mali condemned this as a cowardly and treacherous act, leading to the decision to break off diplomatic relations.
• Mali also criticized comments made by Ukraine’s Ambassador to Senegal, Yurii Pyvovarov, who expressed support for the rebel attack. This further fueled Mali’s decision, citing violations of its sovereignty and unacceptable foreign interference.
• The Malian government, represented by spokesman Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga, condemned Ukraine's actions as support for international terrorism and took immediate action to sever ties.
• In response to the situation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated Russia's support for Mali during a phone call with Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop.
• Mali's military, which came to power in a 2020 coup, has been focused on retaking control of the country from separatists and extremist groups. The country has aligned more closely with Russia, with Wagner forces replacing French troops and international peacekeepers since late 2021. Wagner has an estimated 1,000 fighters in Mali but has been accused of involvement in civilian attacks.

BAMAKO, MALI- Malian authorities have announced that the west african nation it is severing diplomatic relations with Ukraine, accusing a senior Ukrainian official of admitting Kyiv’s role in a deadly attack that resulted in the deaths of dozens of Russian Wagner mercenaries and Malian soldiers in late July. This move highlights the growing complexity of Mali's internal conflict and its international ramifications.

The decision follows a claim by northern Tuareg rebels that they killed at least 84 Wagner mercenaries and 47 Malian soldiers during three days of intense fighting in northern Mali. The battles, which took place near the Algerian border, marked one of the heaviest defeats for Wagner since the group became involved in the Malian conflict two years ago.

The situation escalated when Andriy Yusov, spokesperson for Ukraine's military intelligence agency (GUR), publicly stated that the Malian rebels had received critical information that enabled them to carry out their operation against the Russian forces. Mali's government responded with outrage, describing Ukraine’s involvement as a “cowardly, treacherous, and barbaric” act and accusing Kyiv of supporting a terrorist attack on its armed forces. This prompted Mali to immediately cut diplomatic ties with Ukraine, as announced by government spokesman Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga.

The diplomatic rift was further fueled by comments from Ukraine’s Ambassador to Senegal, Yurii Pyvovarov, who expressed unequivocal support for the rebel attack in a video posted on Facebook. Mali condemned this as a violation of its sovereignty and unacceptable foreign interference.

Mali’s military government, which seized power in a coup in 2020, has been focused on regaining control of the country from separatist groups and hardline militants linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS). Since late 2021, the government has increasingly aligned with Russia, allowing Wagner mercenaries to replace French troops and international peacekeepers. The Wagner group, which has approximately 1,000 fighters in Mali, has been accused of participating in attacks that have led to civilian casualties, allegations that Malian authorities have consistently denied.

In the wake of the recent violence, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated Russia’s support for Mali during a phone conversation with Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop. This reaffirmation of support underscores the strong ties between Moscow and Bamako amid the ongoing conflict in Mali.

The severing of diplomatic relations with Ukraine marks a significant development in Mali's international relations and reflects the broader geopolitical complexities surrounding the conflict in the West African nation. As Mali continues its efforts to combat separatist and extremist forces, the involvement of international actors like Wagner and the fallout from the recent rebel attack will likely have lasting implications for the country’s stability and its position on the global stage.