Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger formally demanded the UN Security Council president to denounce what they described as Ukraine’s “blatant and deliberate backing for international terrorism,” specifically in Africa’s Sahel region. The request comes after recent statements by Ukrainian officials indicating that Kyiv may have supported Tuareg separatist insurgents involved in last month’s deadly raids on Malian soldiers in the northeastern village of Tinzawaten, around the Algerian border.
In a collective letter, the foreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger voiced shock over remarks made by Andriy Yusov, a representative for the Ukrainian military intelligence, who “admitted Ukraine’s involvement in the cowardly, cruel, and criminal attacks” that took place between July 24 and 26. It said that the remarks were approved by Yurii Pyvovarov, Ukraine’s ambassador to Senegal. The letter urged the Security Council to “take appropriate actions against these subversive actions which support terrorist groups in Africa,” adding that the official’s remarks transcend mere foreign interference, which is culpable in its own right.
“This is official and absolute support by the Ukrainian government for terrorism in Africa, especially in the Sahel. These acts also constitute a breach of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our States, a clear attack and support for international terrorism, in flagrant breach of the Charter of the United Nations and the applicable international conventions,” the letter read.
Earlier this month, the Malian interim government declared it is cutting off its diplomatic connections with Ukraine following Kyiv’s involvement in a recent terrorist invasion that killed Malian soldiers and Russian military contractors in backing of the Tuareg militants. Ukrainian military intelligence service representative (GUR) Andrey Yusov stated on national television that his agents helped the militants with “necessary information, and not just information, which enabled a victorious military operation against Russian war convicts,” pledging that “there will be more to come.”
Last month, the military-led management of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger convened their first joint summit on July 7 in Niamey, the capital of Niger. During this historic conference, they declared the formation of a confederation of the three Sahel states. In their inaugural meeting since coming to power, the leaders embraced a joint statement outlining a treaty to designate the confederation.
“This summit draws a decisive step for the future of our common space. Together, we will consolidate the bases of our true independence, a guarantee of true stability and sustainable development via the creation of the ‘Alliance of Sahel States’ Confederation,’” Capt. Ibrahim Traore, the leader of Burkina Faso, said.
