The foreign ministers of Niger and Mali have accused neighbouring countries of supporting terrorist groups operating in the Sahel, even as they signalled readiness to cooperate on certain issues with the West African regional bloc Economic Community of West African States.
The accusations highlight deepening divisions in West Africa that could complicate efforts to tackle jihadist violence across the Sahel, a semi-arid belt stretching across the continent.
Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have been battling jihadist insurgencies for more than a decade. The three countries are currently governed by military regimes that seized power through coups and later withdrew from ECOWAS.
Following their exit, the trio formed a separate regional bloc known as the Alliance of Sahel States.
Speaking to Reuters on the sidelines of a security forum in Senegal, Mali’s Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop alleged that certain neighbouring countries were providing support or safe haven to armed groups.
“There are neighbouring countries that are currently harbouring terrorist groups, supporting terrorist groups, or frequently receiving hostile forces that carry out operations against us,” Diop said.
He did not identify the countries involved but suggested that external powers outside the region were also playing a role in destabilising the Sahel.
Diop further claimed that Ukrainian mercenaries had participated in attacks against Mali, referencing earlier comments by a spokesperson for Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine about fighting in northern Mali in 2024.
However, Ukraine had previously denied involvement in the conflict and stated there was no evidence linking it to the clashes. Kyiv also rejected claims that it supplied drones to rebel groups operating in northern Mali.
Tensions have also recently escalated between Mali and Mauritania.
Mali accused armed groups operating across the border of detaining two of its soldiers, a claim Mauritania dismissed while saying it was offended by the allegation.
The dispute adds to growing diplomatic friction in the region, where security cooperation has become increasingly complex following the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States and the withdrawal of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso from ECOWAS.
Despite the tensions, officials from the Sahel bloc indicated they remain open to cooperation with ECOWAS on certain regional matters, particularly those related to security and economic coordination.
