Photo courtesy of Anadolu
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused Ukraine on Monday of involvement in attacks by armed groups in the Sahel, escalating Moscow’s claims that Kyiv is extending its military activities into Africa.
Speaking after talks with Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Lavrov said Russia was concerned by reports that Ukrainian military personnel were assisting armed groups operating against Sahel states.
He argued that the alleged involvement went beyond isolated attacks and amounted, in Moscow’s view, to what he described as state terrorism directed at governments in the region.
Lavrov also accused France of supporting and training armed groups in parts of Africa in an effort to preserve influence in former colonies. Paris has repeatedly rejected similar accusations from Moscow and several Sahel governments.
The Russian foreign minister defended the presence of the Russia-linked Africa Corps, saying its personnel were operating at the request of African governments and were involved in security and counterterrorism missions.
Lavrov also backed closer security coordination between the Economic Community of West African States and the Alliance of Sahel States, which is composed of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
He said Moscow was preparing to sign a memorandum of cooperation with ECOWAS, including possible coordination on security matters, and welcomed efforts by Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama to improve ties between the two regional blocs.
Lavrov added that Russian authorities would review a request from Ghana concerning Ghanaian citizens involved in the war in Ukraine. The claims against Ukraine and France were presented by Lavrov and were not independently substantiated in the remarks.