By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Mali says it has severed diplomatic relations with Ukraine, following the death of dozens of Malian soldiers and Wagner fighters during a deadly battle with Tuareg rebel group linked to al-Qaeda near the Malian border with Algeria last month.
A spokesman for Ukrainian military intelligence, Andriy Yusov had last week said that the rebels had been given the “necessary information” to conduct the attacks, a comment that raised the suspicion of Malian authorities.
Heritage Times HT reports that Wagner group is a leading paramilitary agency backed by Moscow fighting in Kyiv in the war between Russia and Ukraine.
A top Malian official, Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga, said his government was shocked to hear the claim, accusing Ukraine of violating Mali’s sovereignty.
Yusov’s comments “admitted Ukraine’s involvement in a cowardly, treacherous and barbaric attack by armed terrorist groups” that had led to the deaths of Malian soldiers, Col Maiga’s statement said.
Mali has decided to break off relations “with immediate effect”, he added.
Last week, Mali’s army admitted it had suffered “significant” losses during several days of fighting earlier that erupted on 25 July.
The clashes took place in the desert near Tinzaouaten, a north-eastern town on the border with Algeria.
Reports say the Malian and Russian forcers were ambushed by Tuareg rebels and fighters from al-Qaeda affiliate Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin while waiting for reinforcements, after retreating from Tinzaouaten.
Wagner has acknowledged that one of its commanders was killed and a Russian helicopter was downed in “fierce fighting”, saying they had been attacked by around 1,000 fighters.
Tuareg-led separatists claimed on Thursday they had killed 84 Wagner mercenaries and 47 Malian soldiers.
Heritage Times HT recalls that 70 Russians on Sunday filed out to pay homage to their patriots, Wagner fighters who were killed in Mali.
This comes as Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba is expected to embark on a three-nation visit to Africa this week in an effort to drum up support for Kyiv in its war with Russia.
The diplomat is expected to visit Malawi, Zambia and Mauritius on August 4-8.
“All meetings will focus on the development of bilateral relations based on mutual respect and interests. Among the key topics will be the participation of African states in global efforts to restore a just peace for Ukraine and the world,” the foreign ministry said.
