West African commissioner accuses Ukraine of genocide in Donbas, Kyiv responds

The ECOWAS commissioner made this statement at the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum conference in Sochi on November 9-10, as reported on the website of Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"Baseless, offensive accusations against Ukraine of 'genocide in Donbas,' 'state terrorism,' and involvement in destabilizing African countries in the region thoughtlessly repeat Russian propaganda, which has nothing to do with reality," emphasized the Ukrainian MFA.

They also noted that such disparaging and false statements discredit their author, as they contradict facts documented in numerous resolutions of the UN Security Council and General Assembly, as well as decisions by other international organizations.

"Ukraine has always sought to build mutually beneficial, partnership relations with all African states, including ECOWAS members, based on equality, mutual respect, and non-interference in internal affairs," the statement reads.

In March of this year, ECOWAS accredited Ukraine's ambassador, and new embassies were opened in several member countries, the ministry recalled. Also, Ukraine provided humanitarian aid through the UN to support food security in one of the ECOWAS countries and actively participated in peacekeeping operations in West Africa.

In addition, Ukraine provided humanitarian aid to one of the ECOWAS countries through UN agencies, strengthening food security and resilience within the union.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized Ukraine's long-standing contribution to maintaining peace in West Africa, including the active participation of Ukrainian contingents in UN peacekeeping operations in Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

"Statements in which the commissioner attempted to place responsibility for the security situation degradation in the Sahel region on Ukraine not only undermine the trust-based relations established between Ukraine and the members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) but also cause significant harm to ECOWAS's reputation. This organization has always advocated for respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, sought to ensure regional unity in West Africa, and has firmly condemned unconstitutional coups against democratically elected governments in the region," the Ukrainian ministry stated.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine demands that the leadership of ECOWAS decisively condemn the disgraceful remarks made by its representative and refrain from making similar statements in the future, which contradict the spirit of friendship and mutual respect that characterize Ukraine's relations with the countries of the entire African continent.”

• In August, the countries of West Africa - Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger - sent a letter to the United Nations Security Council, condemning Ukraine's alleged support for rebels who killed dozens of Russian Wagner Group mercenaries in northern Mali.