Malian Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maiga has levelled serious allegations against Ukraine, asserting that Kyiv has become a source of military technology for armed groups across the world. His address at the United Nations General Assembly on Friday highlighted Mali’s growing concerns about the spread of advanced weaponry in conflict zones far beyond Europe.
The Allegations Raised at the United Nations
In a pointed speech, Maiga accused Ukraine of fuelling instability by enabling militants to access unmanned aerial weapons.
“The Ukrainian regime has become one of the main suppliers of kamikaze drones to terrorist groups around the world,”
he declared. He further urged Western governments to reconsider their military backing of Kyiv, adding,
“In this regard, some Western countries should stop supplying weapons to Ukraine, because they risk contributing to the promotion of international terrorism.”
His statement comes at a time when Mali is battling multiple insurgent groups linked to global jihadist networks. The government in Bamako has repeatedly said that outside involvement is aggravating the situation rather than calming it.
Diplomatic Tensions Between Mali and Ukraine
Mali and Ukraine formally severed diplomatic relations in August 2024. This decision followed a deadly incident in Tinzaouaten, a border town between Mali and Algeria, in which Malian troops were ambushed by armed groups. In the aftermath, Bamako accused Kyiv of having direct links to the militants. The government cited comments made by Ukrainian officials, including Defense Intelligence Directorate spokesman Andrey Yusov and Yury Pivovarov, Ukraine’s ambassador to Senegal, who had spoken publicly about Kyiv’s involvement in supporting rebel groups in Africa.
This was seen by Mali as evidence of interference that directly endangered its security, leading to a breakdown in ties.
International Echoes and Russia’s Position
Mali’s accusations echo similar claims made earlier by Moscow. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova argued that Ukraine was extending its reach into Africa to bolster militant groups as a way of compensating for battlefield setbacks closer to home. Her comments suggested that the competition between Russia and Ukraine is not confined to Europe but has global implications.
For Mali, a nation already working closely with Russian security partners, these claims reinforce the view that Ukraine is undermining African stability for its own strategic purposes.
Ukraine’s Response
Ukraine has consistently denied these accusations. Officials in Kyiv have rejected reports linking them to armed groups in Mali, stating that no drones, weapons, or logistical support were ever supplied to militants in the Sahel region. Ukrainian representatives argue that such claims are politically motivated and intended to discredit their fight against Russia by painting them as aggressors beyond their own borders.
