Mali’s Foreign Minister, Abdoulaye Diop, has accused on April 3 in Moscow of supporting terrorist groups in the Sahel region, particularly following claims that Ukraine is providing logistical aid to extremist factions.
Diop made these comments in Moscow on Thursday, after a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and counterparts from Niger and Burkina Faso, all members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Diop labeled Ukraine a “sponsor of terrorism” and urged for action to stop this alleged support, which he argues is destabilizing the region.
Lavrov supported Diop’s accusations, stating that Ukraine, with backing from its Western allies, has become a destabilizing force in Africa. He claimed that, alongside former colonizers, the Ukrainian government has been aiding terrorist groups in the Sahel. The allegations stem from an incident in July 2024, where Ukraine was accused of providing intelligence that led to an ambush, killing Malian soldiers and Russian Wagner Group contractors. These claims have been denied by Ukraine, though its military intelligence spokesperson has controversially acknowledged the attack.
As a result of these allegations, diplomatic relations between Mali and Ukraine have been severed, with Niger and Burkina Faso following suit. The military governments of these countries have strongly aligned themselves with Mali’s stance within the AES, distancing themselves from Ukraine. These developments have fueled growing concerns over Ukraine’s transparency and its role in Africa’s security dynamics, with some critics accusing the country of covertly undermining regional stability.