The prosecutor of the Malian specialised judicial unit has opened an investigation into statements attributable to two Ukrainian officials over their country’s alleged involvement in clashes between government troops and rebels last month.
The skirmish took place in Tinzaouatene, in northern Mali, between the Malian Armed Forces (FAMas) and rebels of the Permanent Strategic Framework for the Defense of the People of Azawad.
Following the severance of diplomatic relations with Ukraine, a legal prosecution procedure is now underway in Mali over remarks made by its diplomats concerning the skirmish.
On Tuesday, Amadou Bocar Toure, prosecutor of the Republic of the Specialized Judicial Unit for the fight against terrorism and transnational organised crime, announced the opening of an investigation for “acts of terrorism, complicity in acts of terrorism and financing of terrorism.”
This investigation follows the statements of the spokesperson for Ukrainian military intelligence, affirming an alleged involvement of his country “in an attack carried out by armed terrorist groups, which resulted in the death of members” of the FAMa in Tinzaouatene, as well as material damage.
These statements were confirmed by the Ukrainian ambassador to Dakar, Yurii Pyvovarov.
In a statement sent to APA, the specialised prosecutor’s office indicates that “this investigation will allow the prosecution of all the perpetrators, co-perpetrators and accomplices of the incriminated acts, so that they answer for their actions before the courts.”
On Sunday, August 4, the Malian authorities, through Colonel Abdoulaye Maïga, Minister of Decentralisation and Territorial Administration, announced the severance of diplomatic relations with Ukraine.
In parallel with the legal proceedings initiated by the prosecutor of the specialised anti-terrorism unit, Bamako also announced “preventive measures to avoid any destabilisation of Mali from African states hosting Ukrainian embassies.”
In addition, it is planned to refer the matter to international bodies as well as states supporting Ukraine.
Before Mali, Senegal and Burkina Faso condemned the remarks of the two Ukrainian officials, while Niger followed Bamako’s example by also breaking off diplomatic relations with Ukraine.
Faced with these accusations, Ukraine denied any support for terrorism, calling Mali’s decision “hasty” and “improvident.”
Meanwhile Russia has backed Mali’s decision to cut ties with Ukraine, stating that Kiev’s support for “terrorists is not surprising.”
From 25 to 27 July, clashes broke out in northern Mali, on the Algerian border, pitting the FAMa and their Russian allies against rebels of the Permanent Strategic Framework for the Defense of the People of Azawad on the one hand, and jihadists of the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM) on the other.
In a statement dated August 1, the CSP claimed to have inflicted heavy losses on Malian soldiers as well as members of the paramilitary company Wagner, declaring that they had killed 40 and 84 of them respectively.
Earlier, the GSIM had claimed responsibility for an ambush that caused the death of 50 Wagner “mercenaries” and ten Malian soldiers.
The private military company Wagner acknowledged losses in a statement posted on its official Telegram channel, without specifying the exact number of its fighters killed in the fighting.
AC/Sf/fss/as/APA