Mali Cuts Diplomatic Ties with Ukraine
Mali has cut diplomatic ties with Ukraine after Kyiv suggested its intelligence services provided crucial information to rebels who massacred government troops and Russian mercenaries, Excel Magazine International reports.
The West African nation condemned Ukraine’s alleged involvement in the attack, which killed at least 131 people, including 47 Malian soldiers and 84 Russian mercenaries from the Kremlin-backed Wagner group.
Mali’s government described Ukraine’s actions as “cowardly, treacherous, and barbaric” and accused Kyiv of “supporting international terrorism.”
The diplomatic fallout comes as Ukraine ramps up efforts to gain support from African countries in its war with Russia.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is set to visit several African nations this week to discuss “global efforts to restore a just peace for Ukraine and the world.”
However, many African countries have been hesitant to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with some maintaining close ties with Moscow due to energy and commodity dependencies.
