Ukraine to seek greater influence in Africa even after Mali, Niger cut ties with Kyiv

Mali and Niger have cut diplomatic ties with Ukraine due to a controversial statement by Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (GUR), with some observers warning that a harsh reaction from Burkina Faso is to be expected, given the latter’s strong allegiance to Mali and Niger.

A single statement implicating Ukraine in the death of dozens of Malian soldiers has within a week cost the East European country some points in the West African area, where it has sought to gain allies, given its ongoing conflict with Russia.
Niger said on Wednesday (7 August) it had cut diplomatic ties with Ukraine, saying it made the move in “solidarity” with neighboring Mali, who severed their own relations with Kyiv two days earlier. Both West African countries made the move even after Ukraine on Monday (5 August) explicitly denied any involvement in northern Mali fighting that led to the death of dozens of Malian soldiers and Wagner fighters last month, describing Mali’s decision to sever diplomatic ties over the incident as “short-sighted and hasty.”

This burgeoning rift between some West African states and Kyiv comes as Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is on a three-country tour of Africa to gather support for Ukraine’s stance in its conflict with Russia. Moscow’s influence across West Africa has undoubtedly contributed to Ukraine’s lack of influence and allegiance in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.

The Summit of Peace in Ukraine that was held in Switzerland in June had 93 participants, only 11 of whom were African, highlighting Ukraine’s minimal influence in the continent as a whole. But experts point out that the Ukrainian foreign minister’s fourth tour of African countries since the war started and six new Ukrainian embassies recently built across Africa, with four more being planned, suggest that despite the recent setbacks, the Eastern European country is set to continue its efforts to expand its influence on the continent.