In a surprising turn of events, Mali has decided to cut off diplomatic relations with Ukraine following a controversial incident involving a major defeat suffered by Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group and Malian soldiers.
The incident, which occurred in late July in the northern region of Mali, resulted in significant casualties on both sides, raising questions about the involvement of external parties in the conflict.
According to reports, the Tuareg rebels claim to have successfully executed an operation that led to the deaths of 84 mercenaries from the notorious Wagner group and 47 Malian soldiers.
This marked a significant setback for Wagner, a private military company with reported ties to the Russian government, which has been involved in the Malian conflict for the past two years.
The catalyst for Mali’s decision to sever diplomatic ties with Ukraine was a statement made by Andriy Yusov, the spokesperson for Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (GUR).
Yusov allegedly confessed to providing the Malian rebels with crucial information that enabled them to carry out the deadly attack on the Russian mercenaries.
His comments, made during an interview with a Ukrainian broadcaster, were seen as an admission of Ukraine’s involvement in the conflict, prompting outrage from the Malian government.
In response to Yusov’s remarks, Mali condemned Ukraine’s alleged role in the attack, describing it as a “cowardly, treacherous, and barbaric act” perpetrated by armed terrorist groups.
The government swiftly announced the decision to sever diplomatic relations with Ukraine, citing the unacceptable nature of Ukraine’s actions and its purported support for the attack on Malian forces.
Furthermore, Mali also expressed concern over comments made by Ukraine’s Ambassador to Senegal, Yurii Pyvovarov, who reportedly voiced unwavering support for the terrorist attack in Mali.
Pyvovarov’s public statements, including a video posted on social media, exacerbated tensions between the two nations and prompted Senegal to summon the Ukrainian ambassador for clarification.
The fallout from the Wagner attack controversy underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the Malian conflict, with various external actors allegedly influencing the course of events in the region.
The Ukrainian government’s alleged support for international terrorism and interference in Malian sovereignty has drawn criticism from officials, including Maiga.
The fighting at the military camp at Tinzaouatene resulted in significant casualties for the Malian army, although the exact numbers have not been released.
In the midst of these developments, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov reiterated his support for Mali in a call with Malian counterpart Abdoulaye Diop.
The military coup in Mali in 2020 has led to a prioritization of reclaiming the country from separatists and extremist groups with ties to al-Qaeda and ISIS.
As Mali aligns itself more closely with Russia, the presence of the Wagner mercenary group in the country has raised concerns about their role in the conflict.
Accusations of civilian casualties resulting from raids and drone strikes allegedly carried out by Wagner fighters have been denied by Malian authorities. The situation in Mali remains tense as the country navigates both internal and external challenges.
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