Ahmad 
Niger’s military council has severed diplomatic ties with Ukraine, two days after Mali made a similar move.
This came after accusing Kiev of supporting armed groups that killed Malian soldiers and members of the Wagner Group.
In a televised statement, Niger’s military junta spokesman, Amadou Abdourahamane, announced that Niger, in solidarity with the government and people of Mali, had decided “in full sovereignty” to sever diplomatic relations with Ukraine “with immediate effect.”
The decision coincided with reports that the Wagner Group had suffered losses in fighting with Tuareg militants near the Malian border.
A Ukrainian military intelligence official said that Kiev had provided information to the rebels to help them in their offensive.
Niger denounced the Ukrainian official’s comments, describing them as “subversive and unacceptable,” and Senegal summoned the Ukrainian ambassador over a video in which he supported the terrorist attack in Mali.
Ukraine described Mali’s decision to sever ties as “short-sighted and hasty,” and denied accusations of supporting international terrorism.
Tuareg rebels in northern Mali have killed at least 84 Wagner Group members and 47 Malian soldiers in heavy fighting, and Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger face repeated attacks from armed groups.
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have all experienced a series of coups between 2020 and 2023, leading to the severing of military and diplomatic ties with Western powers. In March, the three countries agreed to form a joint force to counter security threats across their territories.
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