Russia accuses Ukraine of opening ‘African front’ as Niger cuts Kyiv ties
Al Jazeera
Ukraine is seeking support from the Global South, but several West African states are ditching Western ties to turn to Russia.
Russia has accused Ukraine of opening a “second front” in the war between them in Africa after Mali and Niger broke off diplomatic relations with Kyiv, accusing it of supporting “terrorist groups”.
The claim by Moscow followed an announcement from Niger’s military government on Tuesday that it has cut ties with Ukraine. Several states in West Africa have recently ditched longstanding ties with the West to turn to Russia.
Niamey said on Tuesday that the change in relations with Ukraine would happen “with immediate effect”.
The move was in line with that of neighbouring Mali’s military government, which on Sunday announced it was severing relations with Kyiv over its role in an attack in the north of the country in which Tuareg rebels said they killed dozens of Wagner mercenaries and Malian soldiers.
Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s military spy agency, said that the Malian rebels had received the “necessary” information to conduct the operation.
