SAEDNEWS: Niger will break off diplomatic ties with Ukraine "with immediate effect," Amadou Abdramane, spokesman for the Niger military government, announced on national television on Tuesday.
According to SAEDNEWS: A statement from Abdramane indicates that, the Nigerien government has severed diplomatic ties with Ukraine, citing Kyiv's support for "terrorist organizations" and its involvement in an act of aggression against Mali. The decision was made in solidarity with the Malian government and people.
The Nigerien government called on the UN Security Council to rule on Ukraine's aggression, stating that the situation is serious and Ukraine's involvement has been recognized. The move follows a similar decision by Mali's transitional government, which also announced the severing of diplomatic relations with Ukraine "with immediate effect".
The decision was prompted by comments made by Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian military intelligence, who acknowledged Ukraine's involvement in an attack by "armed terrorist groups" that resulted in the deaths of Malian defense and security forces personnel in Tinzaoutene.
Mali's government had previously reported significant human losses during intense fighting on July 26 against a "coalition of terrorist forces" in the northeastern part of the country. The incident was part of a larger crisis in the region, which has seen the formation of the Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger during their first summit in early July.
