Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned recent statements made by the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Abdel-Fatau Musah, at the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum in Sochi on 9-10 November.
During the ministerial conference, Musah mirrored the Kremlin’s propaganda baseless narratives claiming that Ukraine’s actions in Donbas to eradicate the Russian language and culture amounted to genocide since 2014.
“We know what is happening there now. These are the consequences of steps aimed at destroying the culture and history of the people living there, who were not even allowed to speak their own language. What is this if not genocide?” the African official claimed, adding that Russia allegedly opposed such Ukraine’s “aggression” within Ukraine, according to NV.
In response, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry expressed deep outrage over Musah’s “baseless, offensive accusations” against Ukraine. The ministry stated that such “disrespectful and false statements” merely amplify Russian propaganda that is “completely detached from reality,” His allegations contradict numerous UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, which condemn Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
The Foreign Ministry emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to partnership-based relations with African states, including ECOWAS, based on equality and respect. Ukraine recently accredited an ambassador to ECOWAS, opened embassies in member states, and contributed to West African peacekeeping efforts through UN missions in Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
Musah also claimed Ukraine caused northern Africa’s security decline
Recently, pro-Russian juntas of Niger and Mali accused Ukraine of “terrorism support” in Africa and broke diplomatic relations with Ukraine. Now, Commissioner Musah reportedly sought to hold Ukraine responsible for the deterioration of the security situation in the Sahel region.
The Foreign Ministry stressed that Musah’s attempts to hold Ukraine responsible for the deterioration of the security situation in Agrica’s Sahel region not only undermine the trusted relations between Ukraine and ECOWAS, but also “seriously damage the reputation of ECOWAS itself.”
The ministry expressed hope that Musah’s statements do not reflect the official stance of ECOWAS, which has consistently upheld respect for state sovereignty and territorial integrity and strongly condemned unconstitutional coups against legitimately elected governments in the region.
In conclusion, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry called on ECOWAS leadership to firmly condemn its representative’s “shameful statements” and to avoid future remarks that contradict the spirit of friendship and mutual respect underlying Ukraine’s relations with African countries.
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