Niger Severed Ties with Ukraine Over Remarks
Diplomatic Relations severed by the military junta
Niger joins its neighbor Mali in severeing diplomatic ties with Ukraine
Military Junta Cuts Ties with Ukraine
Niamey, Niger - Niger's military junta announced late on Tuesday that it would follow its neighbor, Mali, by cutting diplomatic ties with Ukraine with immediate effect.
The junta's decision, announced on state television, follows a similar move by Mali last week. Mali expelled the Ukrainian ambassador over comments made by Ukraine's foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, who accused Mali's ruling military junta of collaborating with Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group.
Niger's junta did not specify the reason for its decision to cut ties with Ukraine, but the move is likely to further strain relations between the two countries.
Russia has accused Ukraine of opening a second front in the war between them in Africa after Mali and Niger cut diplomatic ties with Ukraine.
Ukraine has denied the accusations, saying that it is not involved in any military operations in Africa.
The severing of diplomatic ties between Niger and Ukraine is the latest in a series of diplomatic setbacks for Ukraine in Africa.
In recent months, several African countries have expelled Ukrainian diplomats or downgraded diplomatic relations with Ukraine.
These moves have been seen as a sign of growing Russian influence in Africa.
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