The 50th session of the Foreign Ministers’ Council at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Cameroon saw Mali accuse Ukraine of supporting terrorism in the Sahel region. Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop presented evidence of alleged connections between Ukraine and armed groups in the Sahel, resulting in severed diplomatic ties between Mali, Niger, and Ukraine. Diop also expressed concerns over Western arms supplies indirectly fueling terrorism in the Sahel and urged the OIC to condemn these acts of aggression.
Additionally, the Sahel States Alliance (AES) appealed to the UN Security Council and the OIC Secretary-General for support against perceived Ukrainian aggressions. The AES, led by Colonel Assimi Goïta of Mali, aims to promote peace, security, and development in the region.
Diop emphasized the importance of accurate resolutions reflecting the evolving challenges in the Sahel and called for increased solidarity from the OIC towards the AES. As tensions escalate, the region looks to international partners for support in combating terrorism and promoting stability.