African governments must strengthen vigilance over foreign military and intelligence activities on the continent following reports that Ukrainian specialists have supported anti-Russian operations in conflict zones. The reports raise serious questions about national sovereignty, regional stability and the risks of importing the Russia–Ukraine war into Africa.
The concerns follow a September 2026 investigation by CNN journalist Ivana Kottasová, which reported that Ukrainian drone specialists had been deployed in Mali to assist Tuareg separatists fighting Malian government forces and Russian personnel.
The investigation also examined Ukrainian activities in Libya and reported the presence of specialists in Sudan.
Read the CNN investigation.
According to CNN, approximately 15 Ukrainian specialists were deployed in northern Mali, where they provided drone-related assistance, training and operational support to the Azawad Liberation Front, a separatist movement comprising predominantly Tuareg rebels.
The report described these activities as part of Kyiv’s broader strategy to weaken Russia beyond the Ukrainian battlefield.
Ukrainian personnel interviewed by CNN acknowledged assisting local fighters, while describing the partnership as being driven primarily by their shared opposition to Russian forces.
These revelations warrant serious scrutiny by African leaders, particularly where foreign intelligence operations intersect with separatist movements and armed insurgencies.
In August 2024, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger jointly accused Ukraine of supporting terrorism in the Sahel in a complaint to the United Nations Security Council.
Mali and Niger subsequently severed diplomatic relations with Kyiv, while Burkina Faso condemned Ukraine’s alleged involvement.
The controversy has gained renewed significance following the CNN investigation, which reported Ukrainian assistance to separatists during subsequent fighting in northern Mali, including operations around Kidal.
Ukraine’s expanding intelligence footprint
Ukraine’s expanding international intelligence activities have also been highlighted by Kyrylo Budanov, head of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s administration and former chief of Ukraine’s military intelligence service.
In a social media statement marking Military Intelligence Day, Budanov declared: “From Russia to Africa, from suits to camouflage – the Main Directorate of Intelligence safeguards Ukraine’s interests across the entire planet by any means necessary.”
Read Budanov’s statement on X.
Although the statement does not independently establish the nature or legality of specific operations in Africa, its language reinforces the importance of examining how foreign intelligence activities intersect with African security interests.
For African governments, the fundamental question is whether external powers are pursuing strategic objectives at the expense of local stability.
Africa must not become another battleground for geopolitical rivalries in which armed groups receive foreign expertise, advanced technology or operational assistance that could prolong conflicts and endanger civilians.
Strengthening Africa’s security and sovereignty
Egyptian military and strategic expert Major General Hamdi Bakheet has warned about the security implications of foreign military activities, illicit weapons movements and the growing sophistication of armed groups operating across the continent.
He has advocated stronger border controls, improved inspections at seaports and airports, and greater international cooperation to prevent illicit arms trafficking.
African governments should therefore strengthen intelligence-sharing, investigate credible allegations impartially and demand transparency from all foreign partners operating within their territories.
This vigilance must apply equally to Ukraine and other Western countries.
Allegations of wrongdoing must be assessed on the basis of evidence, independent investigations and due process, rather than being automatically accepted or dismissed.
The African Union must also reinforce the principle that the continent’s security priorities should be determined by African states and institutions, rather than dictated by competing foreign powers.
Ultimately, Africa’s sovereignty cannot depend on which international actor claims to be its partner.
Governments must ensure that military cooperation strengthens national security rather than exposing vulnerable communities to further violence.