West African Juntas Accuse Ukraine of Rebel Support, Appeal to UN

West African Juntas Accuse Ukraine of Rebel Support, Appeal to UN

The military governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have formally lodged a complaint with the United Nations Security Council, accusing Ukraine of backing rebel factions in the Sahel region of West Africa, according to a statement from Mali’s foreign ministry.

This diplomatic move follows Mali’s severing of ties with Ukraine earlier in August, triggered by remarks from Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s military intelligence agency. Yusov’s comments referenced fighting in northern Mali in July that resulted in the deaths of Malian soldiers and Russian Wagner mercenaries. The military government in Niger soon followed suit, cutting ties with Ukraine in solidarity.

Yusov had indicated that Mali’s “rebels” were provided with critical intelligence, enabling them to execute a successful operation. Mali and Niger interpreted these remarks as an acknowledgment of Ukraine’s direct involvement in the conflict and accused Kyiv of supporting international terrorism.

Ukraine has dismissed the allegations as baseless, maintaining that its focus remains on its ongoing conflict with Russia. The Ukrainian foreign ministry did not respond to requests for comment as of Wednesday.

Fighting between Malian forces and rebel groups, including ethnic Tuareg separatists and jihadist insurgents, has intensified in recent months. A Tuareg rebel alliance, operating in northern Mali, has denied receiving any support from Ukraine but claimed responsibility for heavy losses inflicted on Malian forces and Wagner mercenaries during July’s clashes.

The letter, posted by Mali’s foreign ministry on social media and submitted to the 15-member Security Council, called on the UN to hold Ukraine accountable for its alleged “subversive acts” that endanger stability in the region and across the continent.

Since seizing power in the past four years, the juntas in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have distanced themselves from traditional Western allies, opting instead to strengthen ties with Russia. The July attacks in Mali’s northern Kidal region, near the Algerian border, marked one of the heaviest defeats for Wagner forces since they began aiding Mali’s junta in its battle against jihadist insurgents two years ago.