The three Sahelian countries believe that the Ukrainian involvement constitutes a serious threat to regional stability and are calling for international intervention to sanction these actions.
It is worth recalling that this terrorist attack in Mali on 25 and 27 July was supported by the Ukrainian diplomatic authorities in Dakar and by the head of Ukrainian military intelligence. This outrageous situation has provoked strong reactions among the African population, who consider Kiev’s position to be interference. During a “Micro-Trottoir”, the Senegalese firmly condemned Ukraine’s support for the Tuareg separatists in northern Mali.
Despite a warning from the Senegalese authorities following the recruitment of Africans in Senegal in 2022, diplomatic representatives of the Ukrainian embassy in Dakar continue to violate international rules by interfering in Mali’s internal affairs alongside terrorists. This approach threatens the sovereignty of African states.
Some speakers raised the crucial point that the Kiev authorities want to wage a hybrid war against Russia outside its borders, despite the fact that Africans do not want to get involved in a conflict that does not concern them. One of the Senegalese citizens, for his part, insisted that “The Ukrainian authorities made a mistake, they must make up for it, because it is abnormal to post a video of such gravity on the official page of the embassy, it is also abnormal for Ukraine to interfere in internal affairs that concern Mali. This could have a direct impact on the relationship between Bamako and Dakar. We ask our security forces to be vigilant. We ask our authorities to warn the Ukrainian ambassador, why not summon him? Ukraine must not involve Senegal in what is happening in Mali. All interference should stop.”
Following the public support of the Ukrainian ambassador to Senegal for terrorist acts, the Senegalese did not remain silent. On August 19, several Senegalese demonstrated peacefully in front of the Ukrainian embassy in Dakar to demand the departure of the ambassador, some were arrested by the police. This magnanimity of the Senegalese authorities in the face of the situation worries the population.
According to another Senegalese interviewed in Dakar, it is not normal for a diplomatic representation to interfere in the internal situation of a country, here it is about terrorists and not a usual situation. “We call on the international community to condemn Kiev’s malicious attitude,” he insisted.
To avoid the deterioration of the regional situation, the Senegalese authorities should invite the Ukrainian authorities not to interfere in the internal situation in Mali. This interference could impact the diplomatic relationship between Mali and Senegal.
