Mali severs diplomatic ties with Ukraine

Mali’s military government, in power since a 2020 coup, has announced an immediate cessation of diplomatic relations with Ukraine, according to a statement by Malian spokesman Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga. Mali accuses a Ukrainian official of having admitted Kyiv’s role in a heavy defeat suffered by Malian troops in July, with dozens of casualties. Africa 54 anchor Esther Githui-Ewart spoke with Modibo Dembele, Managing Editor for VOA’s Bambara Service.