Niger Cuts Diplomatic Ties with Ukraine Amid Growing Rift
Niger has severed its diplomatic relations with Ukraine, a move that underscores a widening rift between several West African nations and Kyiv. The decision follows a similar action by neighboring Mali, which ended its diplomatic ties with Ukraine just two days earlier.
Both Niger and Mali cited recent comments by a Ukrainian military official suggesting that Kyiv may have played a role in the deaths of dozens of Malian soldiers last month. Ukraine has been actively seeking support from African countries to counter Russia’s expanding influence on the continent.
In late July, a clash involving separatist rebels, al-Qaeda-linked militants, and Russian Wagner group mercenaries resulted in significant casualties among Malian soldiers and Wagner fighters. Following the attack, Andriy Yusov, a spokesman for Ukrainian military intelligence, implied that the rebels received crucial information from Ukraine. This statement was not elaborated upon.
Mali responded by accusing Ukraine of violating its sovereignty and immediately severed diplomatic relations. Niger’s government, through spokesman Amadou Abdramane, echoed Mali’s sentiments, labeling Yusov’s remarks as “unacceptable” and following suit with its own diplomatic break.
Senegal, Niger’s neighbor, has also condemned Ukraine. Senegal’s foreign ministry summoned Ukraine’s ambassador, Yurii Pyvovarov, over allegations that a video posted on the Ukrainian embassy’s Facebook page supported the July attack in Mali. The video has since been removed.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry has not yet responded to Niger’s decision but criticized Mali’s actions as “short-sighted and hasty.” It reaffirmed its adherence to international law and accused Russian-controlled entities of committing numerous war crimes in Africa.
Russia has weighed in on the situation, accusing Ukraine of opening a “second front” in Africa. Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claimed that Ukraine is “pandering to terrorist groups” in countries friendly to Moscow.
The recent coups in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have led their new military governments to abandon defense agreements with France and the US, opting instead for military support from Russia. As Russia’s influence grows, Ukraine has been making efforts to strengthen ties with African nations. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is currently on his fourth visit to Africa in two years, with stops in Malawi, Zambia, and Mauritius.
It remains to be seen whether other West African countries will follow Niger and Mali in severing ties with Ukraine. Attention is particularly focused on Burkina Faso, which formed a bloc with Niger and Mali earlier this year and is also under military rule.
The Ukraine-Russia conflict has impacted regions beyond West Africa. In Sudan, Wagner is reportedly supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in their ongoing conflict with the Sudanese army. Videos circulated online show Ukrainian special forces reportedly conducting drone strikes and other attacks against RSF and Wagner forces, though the BBC has not verified these claims.
Amid these geopolitical shifts, more than 70 mourners gathered in Moscow to honor Wagner fighters killed in July’s attack, laying red carnations and lighting candles in a memorial service, as reported by Reuters.
