Suspending diplomatic relations with Ukraine is the best thing the members of the Confederation of Sahel States can do in the wake of the Eastern European country's involvement in the deadly terrorist attack against government forces in Mali in late July, Professor Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, Head of the Department of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Abuja, told Sputnik Africa.
The expert described the move as a "declaration of war" against Ukraine's actions after two Ukrainian officials admitted their country's involvement in the attack.
"The members of the Sahel Alliance [Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso] will not take it lightly. They will actually re-tighten their belts in order to actually fight perpetual insurgency in these particular areas," Prof. Ibrahim stated, suggesting that Burkina Faso will follow suit.
The professor sees Niger’s recent appeal to the UN Security Council regarding Ukraine’s actions in Mali as a crucial step towards exposing Ukraine's role in the Sahel conflict. He argued that this move would further undermine Kiev's credibility on the global stage, particularly in the eyes of nations no longer blindly following the lead of the United States.
"Members of the UN General Assembly have their eyes open now, and they understand the landscape of international politics," Professor Ibrahim asserted. "They don't always go by the wishes of the United States of America now."
He also highlighted the potential role of Western powers, particularly the US and France, in the destabilization of Africa through the proliferation of weapons from Ukraine to terrorist groups.
"Africa should actually tighten their security architecture," the academician recommended. "With the support of Russia and China, I believe that this is going to be achieved."
On July 25, a terrorist unit attacked a column of Malian armed forces and Russian military trainers in the Tinzaouatene region of Mali, leaving many dead. In response, the armed forces of Mali and Burkina Faso carried out a series of airstrikes against the militants responsible for the attack, killing many, including a senior terrorist leader.