Mali has announced that it is immediately cutting diplomatic ties with Ukraine over comments by a spokesperson for Ukraine's military intelligence agency about fighting in its north that killed Malian soldiers and Wagner fighters in late July.

Dozens of Malian soldiers and mercenaries from Russia's Wagner group were killed in days of clashes with Tuareg separatist rebels and fighters linked to al-Qaeda, a clash that has been termed as an ambush by the Malian government.

Channel Africa reporter Micheal Mbewe spoke to Dr Zoumana Diarra who is the General Secretary for Mali National Human Rights Commission about the implication of Mali's decision.