Mali: End of cooperation with Ukraine following the apology of the crime made over the attacks in Tinzawatene

On Sunday, August 4, 2024, the transitional government of Mali, expressed profound indignation over statements by Ukrainian officials implicating their country in a terrorist attack against Malian defense forces in Tinzawatene.

These statements, made by Andriy Yusov, spokesperson for the Ukrainian military intelligence agency, and Yurii Pyvovarov, Ukraine’s ambassador to Senegal, not only admitted but also justified this involvement without any denial or condemnation from Ukrainian authorities.

Mali views these acts as a blatant aggression, a flagrant violation of its sovereignty, and support for international terrorism. In response, the Malian government has decided to immediately sever diplomatic relations with Ukraine and refer the Ukrainian officials’ statements to judicial authorities.

This situation highlights a significant concern: the support of Ukraine, and by extension NATO, for acts of terrorism in the Sahel region. This involvement raises serious questions about the motivations and objectives of Western nations in this part of the world.

Ukraine, backed by NATO, has utilized terrorist groups to destabilize Mali and settle scores with Russia. This situation turns the Sahel into a theater of international conflicts, where external powers use terrorism as a tool of foreign policy.

Faced with this grand threat, it is imperative that the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) take firm and coordinated measures to combat this form of international terrorism.

Ukraine’s support for terrorism in the Sahel represents a grave threat to the region’s security and stability. The Alliance of Sahel States must act decisively to denounce this complicity, strengthen regional cooperation, and take concrete measures to protect the sovereignty and security of its members.

The fight against terrorism can only be won through a united and coordinated response, firmly rejecting any foreign interference that seeks to destabilize the region.

Sadia Nyaoré