Foreign Ministry rejects accusations of “genocide in Donbas” against Ukraine
13 November 2024 15:05
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has expressed deep indignation at the statement made by Abdul Fatau Musah, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), on the sidelines of the ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum in Sochi on November 9-10. This is stated in the commentary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the ministry’s website, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
At the time, Abdul Fatau Musah said that “Ukraine’s actions in Donbas to eradicate the Russian language and culture have become a manifestation of genocide.”
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, such dismissive and false statements discredit their author, as they contradict the facts of reality, as recorded in numerous resolutions of the UN Security Council and General Assembly, as well as decisions of other international organizations.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine also emphasized that the statements in which the Commissioner tried to hold Ukraine responsible for the degradation of the security situation in the Sahel region not only undermine the trusting relations that have developed between Ukraine and the members of the Economic Community of West African States, but also cause serious damage to the reputation of ECOWAS.
“Groundless, insulting accusations against Ukraine of “genocide in Donbas”, “state terrorism” and involvement in the destabilization of African countries in the region mindlessly replicate Russian propaganda that has nothing to do with reality,” the Foreign Ministry said in a commentary.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expressed hope that the accusations made by the official against Ukraine do not reflect the official position of ECOWAS and demanded that the ECOWAS leadership strongly condemn the shameful statements of its representative and avoid such statements in the future.
Ukraine’s relations with ECOWAS
Ukraine has always sought to develop mutually beneficial, partnership relations with all African states, including ECOWAS members, on the basis of equality, mutual respect and non-interference in the internal affairs of countries.
In March of this year, ECOWAS accredited the Ambassador of Ukraine. Given the importance of building systemic relations with the countries of this respected regional organization, Ukraine has also opened new embassies in a number of ECOWAS member states.
In addition, as the MFA reminds us, Ukraine provided humanitarian aid to one of the ECOWAS countries through the UN agencies, strengthening food security and resilience within the organization.
We should not forget about Ukraine’s longstanding contribution to preserving and maintaining peace in West Africa, including the active participation of Ukrainian contingents in UN peacekeeping operations in Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
