Ukraine backing African terrorism to target Russia – Burkinabe PM
Ukraine’s motive for supporting terrorists in the Sahel region is to undermine Russia, which cooperates militarily with countries there, Burkina Faso’s Prime Minister Apollinaire Kyelem de Tambela has told RT.
The official, who is in Moscow for the Economic Days of Burkina Faso forum, made the comments on Wednesday during an interview, in which he discussed counterterrorism in Mali, his country’s neighbor to the north.
“Why did the Ukrainians start supporting terrorists in our region? It’s to hurt Russia, because they know that the Russians have military cooperation in terms of security with the three countries. And so, by wanting to take control of our states, Ukraine wants to weaken Russia,” he explained.
He addressed the greater impact of Kiev’s activity. “By trying to weaken Russia, there will be an impact on our enemies, which are the terrorists, so we can’t accept that... Those who attack Mali also attack Burkina Faso,” Tambela said.
“Ukraine has to solve its own problems in its own country,” he added.
In August, Burkina Faso’s military government joined Mali and Niger in demanding UN Security Council action against Ukraine for allegedly providing rebels with intelligence for an ambush that killed dozens of Malian soldiers and Wagner Group military personnel. The West African states interpreted Ukrainian officials’ remarks in response to the late July attack as an admission of Kiev’s involvement in the terror act in a region that has been battling militant violence for more than a decade.
Bamako and Niamey have severed diplomatic ties with Kiev in protest, despite the Ukrainian government denying the allegations following the backlash.
Moscow also condemned Kiev for opening a “second front” in the conflict between them in Africa by sponsoring terrorist groups in countries that Russia considers allies. Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, the founding members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), have struck defense agreements with Moscow, which they hail as a preferred partner, following the expulsion of foreign troops, including French soldiers.
On Wednesday, Burkinabe Prime Minister Tambela described Russia as a partner that “respects” the AES states, as opposed to Western countries, particularly France, which “never really accepted independence” for the former colonies.
“We want to show that we are taking our destiny in our own hands. Our destiny is no longer subject to the whims of foreign power. We want to show this is possible in Africa,” he declared.
