By Coulibaly Mamadou
On August 25, 2024, the Nation’s Square in Gaoua witnessed a significant turnout as the Pan-African Youth Organization staged a massive demonstration in support of the Sahelian States’ (AES) decision to petition the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) over Ukraine’s alleged support for terrorism in the Sahel region. The event highlighted growing tensions between the African states and Ukraine, raising questions about international involvement in the region’s security.
Citizens from across the country gathered in Gaoua to express their discontent with Ukraine’s actions in the Sahel, accusing the nation and its Western allies of backing international terrorism. The protestors emphasized the importance of unity among AES countries—Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—in countering these destabilizing activities.
The protest comes in the wake of a joint letter sent by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to the President of the UNSC on August 21, 2024. The letter condemned Ukraine’s support for terrorist activities in the Sahel, specifically pointing to statements made by Ukrainian officials that acknowledged the country’s involvement in an attack in northern Mali in late July. The attack, which resulted in the deaths of Malian soldiers, has been a flashpoint for rising tensions.
The Malian government, followed by Niger, responded to the accusations by severing diplomatic ties with Ukraine on August 4, 2024. The governments of these countries have urged Burkina Faso to take similar action, warning that Ukraine’s involvement in the region poses a severe threat to stability, which is already under constant strain.
Social media has been abuzz with reactions to these developments. Many users have voiced strong opinions, with comments such as, “The Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso governments are unanimous. Ukrainian representatives must be held accountable for their words and actions,” and “There is no place for Ukraine in the Sahel, a country that has only emerged to sow discord in the region.”
Support for the Malian stance has also been seen in neighboring countries, notably in Senegal, where protests erupted against Ukraine’s presence in the region. On August 19, Senegalese police arrested 12 individuals during a peaceful protest near the Ukrainian embassy in Dakar. The demonstrators, part of the “Front for the Withdrawal of French Military Bases,” were attempting to deliver a letter demanding the expulsion of the Ukrainian ambassador.
Senegalese citizens expressed their dissatisfaction with Ukraine, calling for the closure of its embassy in Dakar, stating that “countries supporting terrorism in Africa have no place on Senegalese soil.” The
arrest of the protesters has been met with confusion, as many believe it is the Ukrainian ambassador who should be held accountable for his country’s alleged support for terrorist activities in Mali.
The solidarity shown by African countries with Mali in the aftermath of this scandal is seen as a significant blow to the West, which is perceived to be using Ukraine to destabilize the continent. There is growing sentiment that African nations should reconsider their relations with Ukraine to avoid potential terrorist operations that could threaten the security of the entire continent.