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In mid-2024, Russia’s reputation suffered a major blow. The Ukrainian attack on its territory was surpriseIn West Africa, Wagner Hire CorpsWith the support of Russia, The highest number of deaths In Mali.
Tuareg rebel alliance Permanent strategic framework for the defence of the people of Azawad End of July and Muslim Nusrat Jamia MilleniaIt is an alliance of four terrorist organizations operating in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
Rebel-Terrorist Alliance Hurt A Malian army contingent supported by Wagner fighters. After three days of fierce fighting, Dozens of Malian soldiers and Wagner fighters Killed or captured.
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The attack was significant in many ways. First, it showed the difficulty the Malian military junta was having in securing the country (the alleged reason for its seizure of power, expelling France and turning to Russia).
On the other hand, it highlights the geopolitical implications of the region. Russia’s proxy war with Ukraine It probably started in Africa.
This is the second time Ukraine has been involved in a local conflict in an African country, attacking Russian elements.Positive“Russia has interests in the Sudanese civil war.
As a scholar African Security and PoliticsI study conflict, governance, terrorism, and development on the African continent. When the Russian-Ukrainian war broke out in 2022, I analyzed African countries’ positions on the war and explained why some countries chose to “Neutral” and not biased towards any party About conflict.
I argued that many African countries did not want to be drawn into what was seen as a proxy war between the United States and Russia. After Russia invaded Ukraine, many European countries, as well as the United States, provided Ukraine with large amounts of weapons to defend its territory. The first time in the EU Providing lethal aid to Ukraine.
Although the United States and European countries deny that this is a proxy war, the CIA director of the Obama administration admitted that “This is a proxy war with Russia whether we admit it or notThis view is shared by some African countries, which are determined to continue Neutral To avoid getting involved in conflict.
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With Ukraine drawn into the war in Sudan and now in Mali, it looks like African countries are actually being drawn in, too, on their own territory.
A new proxy war will have serious implications for the region and the entire African continent. Africa’s security situation is very complex, with ethnicity, religion, inequality, topography and poverty exacerbating the fragility of the situation.
Libya is an example of how external interference can cause a conflict to persist for decades and destabilize an entire region. African leaders must avoid foreign interference like Libya, which has Labelled as a failure.
The remarks of Andrei Yusov, a representative of the Ukrainian security services, further indicate that the United States and Ukraine are waging a proxy war with Russia on African territory. statement The TV said Ukraine “facilitated” the attack on the Malian army and Wagner.
Yuri Pivovarov, Ukrainian ambassador to Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast and Liberia, has also been charged by the Senegalese government supply “Unequivocal and unconditional support” for terrorist attacks in Mali.
In response, Mali and Niger Cut off Established diplomatic relations with Ukraine. Senegal also call Ambassador of Ukraine. Economic Community of West African States Declared “We firmly oppose and resolutely condemn any external interference in the region’s affairs.”
This is a major setback for Ukraine.
Although Ukraine denies Its involvement in the deaths of Malian soldiers has been condemned due to its support for terrorist groups in the region.
Russia has seized on the attack to label Ukraine an enemy in Africa. Russia accuses Ukraine of launching a “Second Front“In Africa and support Terrorist organization.
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In June 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky organized a summit to build support for his call for Russia to end its aggression; a total of 92 countries attended the summit, including 57 heads of state or government.
About 80 countries signed a document condemning Russia for the war and declaring Ukraine’s territorial integrity. 12 of these countries From Africa. Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso did not attend. Less than 20 African countries sent representatives.
This is yet another proof that African countries do not want to be drawn into the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Many African countries also abstained from voting in previous UN General Assembly votes. Despite Ukraine’s attempts to gain support from the continent, African countries still abstained from voting.
The narrative about Ukraine’s role in Mali will only weaken its influence in Africa. This is because some countries on the continent are fragile and terrorism is a serious problem.
Since the coups in West Africa over the past decade, Four yearsRussia, which has positioned itself as an alternative to Western influence, is benefiting from the chaos in the region, quickly filling the void left by France and its allies in the Sahel.
Shortly after the ambush of Mali and Wagner troops, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated Russia’s commitment Help Mali improve its combat capabilities, train military personnel and address pressing socio-economic issues.
For more than a decade, Russia has positioned itself as an alternative partner in the fight against terrorism in the region. For example, when the United States refused to sell weapons to Nigeria because of a damning report, Amnesty International Nigeria has turned to Russia for weapons after accusing the Nigerian military of human rights violations.
Since the invasion of Ukraine, Russia has lost its Western allies, and Africa has been an important support region for Russia. Ukraine is also very eager to get support from African countries, as shown by its intention to Opened 10 new embassies In a war in which both sides seek outside support, Ukraine’s loss could be Russia’s gain.
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Russia-Ukraine war: Five reasons many African countries are choosing to remain neutral
African leaders must unite to condemn any external interference that could further destabilize the region. They should hold Russia accountable for the Wagner Group’s activities on the continent, while making it clear to Ukraine that foreign interference will not be tolerated on the continent.
The situation of the Tuareg must also be addressed. President Mohamed Issoufou Niger’s president was able to complete two terms in office in part by meeting the demands and addressing the concerns of the country’s Tuareg people.
The Malian government should understand that the plight of the Tuareg cannot be solved by military means. They should learn from Issoufou’s policy of appeasing the Tuareg in Niger during his presidency.
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