Faith Nyasuguta
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is set to visit three African countries this week to rally support for Kyiv’s stance in its ongoing conflict with Russia. According to an announcement from his ministry on Sunday, Kuleba will tour Malawi, Zambia, and Mauritius from August 4-8. This marks the fourth tour of African countries by the Ukrainian foreign minister since the war began, as reported by Reuters.
The ministry’s statement emphasized the importance of the meetings: “All meetings will focus on the development of bilateral relations based on mutual respect and interests. Among the key topics will be the participation of African states in global efforts to restore a just peace for Ukraine and the world.”
Despite the conflict in Ukraine, Russia has maintained and even expanded its activities in Africa. The Wagner Group, a private Russian military company, has leveraged the strained relationships between France, other Western countries, and Sahelian states to bolster its influence on the continent.
Several African countries attended a conference on Ukraine hosted by Switzerland in June. However, many have been hesitant to join Western efforts to isolate Russia, a major supplier of energy and commodities. For example, Burkina Faso is finalizing a nuclear deal with Russia’s Rosatom, which specializes in nuclear energy and high-tech products.
This deal aligns with Russia’s broader strategy to strengthen its influence in Africa, with plans to construct a nuclear reactor in the West African nation.
During his tour, Kuleba will also discuss the supply of Ukrainian grain to the region and explore opportunities for African companies to participate in the reconstruction of Ukraine, according to the ministry.
In a related development, a statement by a Ukrainian spokesperson has prompted a severe response from Mali. The statement suggested that Ukraine had been working against the security of the Malian people, triggering a swift response from Malian authorities. Mali had previously planned to bring the issue before the United Nations Security Council.
On Sunday, Mali cut off diplomatic ties with Ukraine following remarks by a spokesperson for Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (GUR) about recent fighting in northern Mali that resulted in the deaths of Malian soldiers and Wagner fighters in late July. “Mali will break off relations with immediate effect,” said Malian spokesman Col. Abdoulaye Maiga.
The spokesperson, Andriy Yusov, allegedly acknowledged Kyiv’s involvement in the casualties suffered by Malian forces. “The rebels received all the necessary information they needed, and not just the information, which allowed [them] to conduct a successful military operation against Russian perpetrators of war crimes. We certainly won’t go into details now—you will see more of this in the future,” Yusov stated in comments published on public broadcaster Suspilne’s website on July 29.
As reported by Reuters, after days of intense fighting in northern Mali, Tuareg rebels claimed to have killed at least 84 Russian Wagner mercenaries and 47 Malian soldiers. This incident represents Wagner’s most significant defeat since its involvement in Mali two years ago to assist the military in combating rebel groups.
Mali responded to the allegations with shock, calling the remarks “subversive.” The timing of Kuleba’s African tour, aimed at garnering support against Russia, coincides with the diplomatic fallout between Ukraine and Mali.
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