Ukraine has strongly criticized remarks by an Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) commissioner Abdel-Fatau Musah accusing Kyiv of “genocide” in the Donbas region and destabilizing the Sahel.
In a statement on Wednesday, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry rejected the claims, describing them as “groundless and insulting” and accusing the official of parroting Russian propaganda. The ministry said such accusations contradict resolutions of the UN Security Council and General Assembly, as well as other international bodies.
The remarks were made by Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, during the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum in Sochi on Nov. 9–10, according to Ukrainian media. Musah reportedly accused Ukraine of attempting to “eradicate the Russian language and culture” in the Donbas and blamed Kyiv for contributing to instability in the Sahel.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry warned that these statements undermine relations between Kyiv and ECOWAS members and harm the bloc’s reputation. The ministry also expressed hope that Musah’s views do not reflect ECOWAS’s official position, urging its leadership to condemn the remarks and avoid similar statements in the future.
The ministry emphasized ECOWAS’s longstanding commitment to respecting state sovereignty and territorial integrity and noted the bloc’s historical role in promoting stability in West Africa.
Founded in 1975, ECOWAS plays a key role in regional security and development. However, its influence has faced challenges, including the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger earlier this year after the bloc threatened military intervention in Niger following a July coup.
The incident highlights the complexities of international relations amid ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia, as well as the broader geopolitical dynamics involving Africa.
