Mali breaks diplomatic ties with Ukraine

The transitional government of Mali is severing diplomatic relations with Ukraine over its alleged support of Tuareg-led rebels, government spokesperson Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga announced on Aug. 4.

The announcement follows reports that Malian soldiers and Wagner Group mercenaries suffered significant battle losses in recent clashes with anti-government groups in the north of Mali.

Andrii Yusov, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) spokesperson, alluded to possible cooperation between Ukrainian intelligence services and the Mali rebels during a television broadcast on July 29.

The rebels "received useful information, and not just that, which allowed them to carry out a successful military operation against Russian war criminals," Yusov said.

In a statement posted to X, Maiga said Yusov's statement was an admission of "Ukraine's involvement in a cowardly, treacherous, and barbaric attack by armed terrorist groups."

Mali will cut diplomatic ties to Ukraine "with immediate effect," Maiga said.

Mali provided no evidence of Ukraine’s ties to Tuareg rebels, foreign ministry says

Mali’s decision to sever diplomatic relations with Ukraine is “regrettable,” as Mali’s transitional government has not provided evidence that proves Ukraine’s involvement in an alleged incident between Wagner mercenaries and Tuareg rebels, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Aug. 5.

The Kyiv IndependentElsa Court

The West African nation of Mali has been the subject of a significant Russian influence campaign since the Malian army overthrew the government in a coup in 2021.

The Wagner mercenary group, founded by the late Yevgeny Prigozhin, has been particularly active in Mali and has been accused of perpetrating war crimes and widespread looting.

Heavy fighting broke out on the outskirts of the village of Tinzawaten in late July, with anti-government coalition fighters reporting that they destroyed "the entire column of the Malian army and Russian mercenaries."

Wagner Group affiliates later confirmed that the mercenaries suffered significant losses in the clashes.

The French news outlet Le Monde reported on Aug. 1 that Ukrainian special services had cooperated with the Tuareg-led fighters, including providing training on drone operation.

"We have links with the Ukrainians, but just as we have with everyone else, the French, Americans, and others," said Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, a spokesperson for the pro-independence coalition.

Mali's decision to sever ties with Kyiv comes as Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba launches his fourth regional tour of African nations. Kuleba will visit Malawi, Zambia, and Mauritius from Aug. 4 to Aug. 8.

Sweden to withdraw aid to Mali over stance toward Russia

“When we cooperate with other countries, we also want those countries to cooperate with Sweden, but Mali’s military junta instead turns to Russia and supports its full-scale war against Ukraine,” said Johan Forssel, Swedish Minister for Foreign Trade and International Development Cooperation.

The Kyiv IndependentNate Ostiller