Mali's junta cuts ties with Ukraine: Bamako accuses Kyiv of helping Tuareg fighters

Mali's military rulers say they're cutting diplomatic relations with Ukraine.
They have accused Kyiv of supporting Tuareg fighters inside Mali.
The announcement comes after dozens of Malian soldiers and mercenaries from Russia's Wagner Group were killed by Tuareg fighters in the north last week.
Mali's junta has used Wagner mercenaries to bolster its military since taking power in 2020.

Andrew Lebovich is a research fellow with the Clingendael Institute and a specialist on the Sahel and North Africa.
He thinks the possible presence of Ukrainian intelligence was one explanation for the devastating losses incurred by the Wagner group.