The military governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have called on the United Nations Security Council to condemn Ukraine for allegedly supporting rebel groups in the Sahel region.
This development follows a recent diplomatic rupture between Mali and Ukraine, stemming from a controversial statement by a Ukrainian intelligence official regarding a deadly attack in northern Mali.
According to a letter obtained by Reuters, the three African nations, which have experienced military takeovers in recent years, are seeking to hold Ukraine accountable for its alleged involvement in destabilizing the Sahel.
The letter was published on the social media platform “X” by the Alliance of Sahel States, a coalition formed by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger following their respective coups.
The diplomatic conflict began earlier this month when Mali severed ties with Ukraine. This decision followed remarks made by a representative of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry’s General Directorate of Intelligence (GUR), who linked Ukraine to an attack in Mali that occurred in late July.
The attack, carried out by Tuareg rebels, resulted in significant losses for both Malian soldiers and Russian Wagner Group mercenaries. The GUR representative alleged that the Tuareg rebels had received “necessary information” from Ukraine to execute the assault.
According to reports, the rebels claimed to have killed 84 Wagner fighters and 47 Malian soldiers during the attack. This incident represented a substantial blow to the Wagner Group, a Russian paramilitary organization known for its activities in Africa and other conflict zones.
In response to the allegations, Mali’s military government accused Ukraine of backing “international terrorism.” Niger’s military government followed suit by cutting diplomatic relations with Ukraine in solidarity with Mali.
However, Ukraine has categorically denied any involvement in the attack or in supporting rebel factions in the region. The Tuareg rebels themselves have also denied receiving any assistance from Ukraine.
The letter sent to the UN Security Council by the foreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger demands that the Council take action against Ukraine to prevent further threats to regional and pan-African stability.
The letter calls on the Council’s 15 members to condemn Ukraine’s alleged actions and intervene to safeguard peace in the Sahel region. As of yet, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry has not issued a response to the letter or the accusations made by the Sahel states.
The situation underscores the shifting alliances in the region, as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have distanced themselves from traditional Western and regional partners in favor of closer ties with Russia.
Following the coups that brought military governments to power, these countries have sought increased cooperation with Russia, including security assistance from the Wagner Group.
The Sahel region has been plagued by ongoing conflicts involving rebel groups, Islamist militants, and government forces. The growing instability has prompted concerns about the future of regional security, with international actors, including the UN and the African Union, closely monitoring the situation.
The UN Security Council is expected to deliberate on the matter in the coming days, as the Sahel states press for a decisive response to what they perceive as external interference in their internal conflicts.