On Sunday 4 August, Mali’s transitional authorities announced the immediate breaking off of diplomatic relations with Ukraine, following statements by senior Ukrainian officials, which the government in Bamako considers to be subversive.
The spokesman for Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, Andriy Yusov, recently claimed that Ukraine was involved in an attack on the Malian defence and security forces in Tinzaouatene, in northern Mali.
These remarks were described as “cowardly, treacherous and barbaric” by the Malian government, which highlighted the ensuing loss of life and material damage.
Ukraine’s ambassador to Senegal, Yurii Pyvovarov, also openly supported these statements, unequivocally
displaying his country’s support for “international terrorism, particularly in Mali,” as the transitional authorities pointed out.
In a statement, the Malian government expressed its “profound astonishment” at these statements, which were neither denied nor condemned by the Ukrainian authorities.
Mali’s transitional government denounced these acts as a “flagrant violation of international law” and a blatant attack on
Malian sovereignty. It pointed out that these actions went “beyond foreign interference” and constituted “official support for terrorism in Africa.”
In response, Mali took drastic measures, including “the immediate severance of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Mali and Ukraine.”
The transitional authorities also decided to take legal action against Mr. Yusov and Mr. Pyvovarov for “acts of terrorism and glorification of terrorism.”
They suggested that “preventive measures could be taken to avoid any destabilisation of Mali from African states hosting Ukrainian embassies.”
In addition, a formal alert will be sent to international bodies and States supporting Ukraine, considering this “support to be support for terrorism,” according to the statement.
Mali’s decision comes against a backdrop of regional protests against Ukraine. Senegal recently summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to Dakar to express its displeasure, and Burkina Faso has also voiced its indignation.
Mali appealed to the “responsibility of the international community to firmly condemn Ukrainian support for terrorism.”
The Malian government urged the international community to take concrete measures to combat this scourge.
Bilateral trade between Mali and Ukraine has been significant in previous years. In 2020, trade between the two countries reached USD 17 million, with Ukrainian exports consisting mainly of ferrous metals, aircraft and electric cars, while Mali exports nuclear reactors, machinery and fruit.
The two countries were looking to strengthen their economic and trade cooperation, particularly in promising sectors such as agriculture, mining, telecommunications and power generation, supported by United Nations financial mechanisms.
MD/ac/Sf/fss/as/APA