Niger’s junta cuts diplomatic ties with Ukraine over remarks from officials it said showed Ukraine’s support for groups involved in fighting in neighbouring Mali that killed dozens of soldiers and Russian Wagner fighters in July.
In a televised address, spokesperson Abdourahamane Amadou said Niger had decided to act in solidarity with the government and people of Mali by cutting ties with Ukraine with immediate effect.
Mali announced early on Sunday that it was cutting off diplomatic relations with Ukraine following an admission of Ukrainian involvement in a recent deadly terrorist attack in the West African country.
The diplomatic impasse follows a defeat of the Malian Armed Forces during clashes with separatist rebels at the end of July.
Mali said it considered support for Ukraine āas support for international terrorismā and an aggression which is part of āthe broader pattern of certain actors who actively support and instrumentalize terrorist groups in the region.ā
The row stems from televised remarks by Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s military spy agency, who said that Malian rebels had received the “necessary” information to conduct the attack.
The diplomatic blow coincides with the visit of Ukraineās foreign minister, who started a fourth tour of African countries this week seeking to strengthen ties with the region.
Dmytro Kuleba embarked on a tour including Malawi, Zambia and Mauritius on Sunday that is expected to end on Thursday, where he will meet with the heads of state of the three countries and his counterparts.
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