Ukrainian Foreign Ministry responds to Mali junta's statement on “sponsoring terrorism”

This was stated by the ministry's spokesman Georgy Tykhyi in his message on the X platform, Ukrinform reports.

“This is a serious accusation for a representative of an illegitimate junta that seized power and relies on Russian mercenaries to maintain its regime. In all seriousness, we once again deny the baseless allegations of interference in Mali. These allegations have never been substantiated,” he said.

Tikhiy added that the real threat to stability and development in Africa is posed by Russian mercenaries from the Wagner PMC, “who bring with them only death, destruction and robbery wherever they go.”

His comments came in response to Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Dy, who accused Ukraine of supporting terrorism.

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Mali has been under military rule since a coup in August 2020, after which a transitional government promised elections within 18 months. But Human Rights Watch has found that Wagner mercenaries have supported Malian forces in attacks and drone strikes that have killed dozens of civilians, including children.