In a shocking move, the West African nation of Mali has severed diplomatic relations with Ukraine, citing Ukraine’s provision of intelligence to rebel groups responsible for a deadly ambush on Wagner Group forces in July.
The decision, announced by government spokesman Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga, marks a significant escalation in the diplomatic fallout between the two nations.
Mali’s condemnation of Ukraine’s actions comes amid a broader stance of neutrality in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The Malian government has emphasized its commitment to a peaceful resolution, making Ukraine’s involvement in the ambush all the more egregious.
The ambush, carried out by Tuareg rebels and al Qaeda affiliate JNIM, resulted in the deaths of 50 Russians and several Malian soldiers, with some reports suggesting up to 80 Russian fatalities, the worst loss ever for Russian paramilitaries in Africa.
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The rebels also claimed to have captured Malian troops and Russian soldiers, although these claims remain unsubstantiated.
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) had previously confirmed Kyiv’s involvement in the ambush, with Andriy Yusov stating that they supplied the intelligence enabling the rebels’ successful operation.
This admission has sparked a diplomatic firestorm, with Mali’s decision to sever ties with Ukraine likely to have far-reaching consequences for regional stability and international relations.
