What Should Be Africa’s Position in Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
On February 21, 2022, Russian government officially recognized the two self-proclaimed states of in the Donbas region [Eastern Ukraine] and sent its troops to the said territories. Three days later, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the guise of demilitarizing it. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine which is still ongoing has attracted sanctions from different nations led by the European Union, UK and even the United States.
Surprisingly, Africa as a continent has taken a back seat in this whole issue except for two countries: Kenya and South Africa. Kenya which is non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council condemned the “unprovoked” invasion of Ukraine by Russia and called for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. South Africa which is a partner of Russia in the Brics group, also urged Russia to withdraw its troops from Eastern Ukraine.
Therefore, it’s only Kenya that has made its position known to the whole world thanks to the position it holds in the UNSC. It is alleged that CAR President on his part largely supports the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
Russia’s relations with Africa in the Recent Past
Russia has been trying to make in-roads in Africa in the past decade especially in North Africa and some parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. This has been largely through military aids to rebels or islamist militia groups in North Africa especially Libya.
According to BBC, Russia has been expanding its influence in Africa in recent years and after the invasion of Ukraine, it will be expecting its new-found allies to provide support, or at least remain neutral, in international bodies such as the UN. From Libya to Mali, Sudan, the Central African Republic (CAR), Mozambique and elsewhere, Russia has been getting more involved — often militarily with help fighting rebels or jihadist militants.
It has entered a pact with the Mali’s military junta few months before its invasion of Ukraine, promising to supply arms and other military equipment. It is also alleged that Kremlin has promised to support the military regime of Burkina Faso.
It goes without saying that Russia is trying to exact its influence in Africa through rebels and militia groups that have seen the overthrow of several regimes especially in North Africa and West Africa. Through its support to these rebel groups, it might be able to get regimes that are loyal to it within the African Continent.
What should be Africa’s position in the ongoing crisis?
In my opinion, it would be foolhardy for Africa as a continent to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While Kremlin may lack regards for sovereignty and everything consequential to it, I think as Africa we should and that should inform our position in this whole issue.
Secondly, as mentioned, Russia is trying to make in roads into Africa through supporting rebel and militia groups in different countries. We all know the modus operandi of rebels and how they have caused instability in various parts of our continent. While they claim that their support for this groups are to ensure that the regimes in these countries, are people-centric, the truth in that statement is questionable owing to their “military operation” in Ukraine.
Kremlin intent may be to get a pole position in the African continent and steal the lime light from the West [particularly the United States, UK and France], who for long have had their influence in the continent.
The non-alignment approach that Africa States leaders and AU is trying to embrace may be short-lived as sooner or later they will have to make their position known. This is due to existing competing interests from the West and Russia.
