Ukraine is looking to establish security cooperation with Mauritania, including offering assistance in training the country's special forces. This was reported by the Beninese news outlet La Nouvelle Tribune, citing Ukraine’s Special Envoy for the Middle East and Africa, Maksym Subkh.
According to the report, if the initiative proves successful, Kyiv hopes to expand its defense partnership with Mauritania and potentially build similar ties with other countries in the Sahel region.
La Nouvelle Tribune notes that Ukraine is increasingly concerned about Russia’s growing influence in Africa—particularly in countries like Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic (CAR), and Mali, which shares a long border with Mauritania. Previously, Kyiv attempted to establish links with various armed groups opposed to the Malian government and is now aiming to engage directly with states in the region.
A “Second Front” Strategy?
On June 19, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova accused Ukraine of trying to stir unrest in African nations friendly to Moscow in order to create a "second front" amid setbacks in its conflict with Russia.
She recalled public statements from Ukrainian officials admitting support for militant groups responsible for attacks on Malian troops in July 2024 in northern Mali.
Alexander Ivanov, Director of the Commonwealth of Officers for International Security (COIS), also claimed that Ukrainian military intelligence operatives were involved in training militants and coordinating their activities in Mali, Sudan, and Burkina Faso.
Mali Attack Raises Tensions
On July 30, 2024, authorities in Mali and Mauritania announced a joint investigation into allegations that Ukrainian instructors were involved in training militants who attacked Malian government forces near Tinzaouaten, a remote area in northeastern Mali close to the Algerian border.
According to Senegalese outlet Senenews, evidence gathered during the investigation suggested that some of the militant training took place on Mauritanian territory. However, Mauritania denied any involvement in the conflict and reaffirmed its neutral stance.
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Based on TASS materials