Written By Lisa Murimi
Niger has severed diplomatic relations with Ukraine, echoing a similar move by Mali just two days earlier.
This development highlights a growing rift between some West African nations and Kyiv.
Niger’s military government cited solidarity with Mali, which broke off relations after Ukrainian military official Andriy Yusov suggested Kyiv played a role in the killing of Malian soldiers in July.
Mali, which had previously aligned with the Russian Wagner Group for security support, accused Ukraine of violating its sovereignty following Yusov’s comments, and promptly cut ties.
Niger’s government condemned Yusov’s remarks as “unacceptable” and aligned with Mali’s stance.
Ukraine has been actively seeking support from African nations to counter Russia’s expanding influence on the continent.
Russia’s Wagner Group has been involved in conflicts in several African countries, including Mali and Sudan, where it is allegedly backing the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in ongoing battles with the Sudanese army.
The diplomatic fallout extends beyond Mali and Niger, with Senegal also criticizing Ukraine for alleged support of the July attack on Mali, which was highlighted in a now-deleted video from the Ukrainian embassy.
As Ukraine continues its efforts to build alliances in Africa, the reaction of other West African countries, particularly Burkina Faso, remains uncertain.
The evolving situation reflects the broader geopolitical impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on the continent.
