Ukraine 'upset' that African nations chose neutrality in Russia war
- Written by VOA
Ukrainian Foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba
Ukrainian Foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba is urging African countries to abandon their stances of neutrality towards his country's war with Russia.
Many African countries have refused to take sides in the European conflict, with several abstaining from votes at the United Nations General Assembly condemning Russia's invasion. Ethiopia is one of them.
Speaking in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, on Wednesday, Kuleba said Ukraine was "very upset that some African countries chose to abstain" and called them to lend Ukraine diplomatic support "in the face of Russian aggression."
"Neutrality is not the answer," he told reporters. "By being neutral towards Russian aggression against Ukraine, you project neutrality to the violations of borders and mass crimes that may occur very close to you."
Russia has built a substantial presence in several parts of Africa, where Russian private military contractor Wagner is active, and recently held joint military drills with South Africa. Russia plans to hold an Africa-Russia summit in July.
Kuleba also called on African countries to endorse the "ten-point peace formula" proposed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in December and emphasized Ukraine's wish to build "mutually beneficial" relations with Africa, based on trade in energy, technology and pharmaceuticals.
"We have to remind each other of the importance of Africa to Ukraine and the importance of Ukraine to Africa," Kuleba said, admitting that Ukraine's previous attitude towards the continent was characterized by "inertia."
Both Ukraine and Russia supply a significant amount of grain to Africa. Kuleba is currently on an African tour that also includes visits to Morocco and Rwanda. In Ethiopia, he held discussions with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat and Azali Assoumani, the president of the Comoros and current chair of the continent-wide body.
Kuleba made his first trip to Africa in October when he visited Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Kenya. The trip was cut short after Russia launched strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure.
His Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, has also been active in shoring up ties with African countries since the Ukraine war broke out, touring the continent once in 2022 and making at least two visits so far this year.
Comments
E.g. considering its "Apartheid Past", of all countries South Africa shouldn't have been one of the African countries to chose neutrality in Russian unjust war with Ukraine.
This is because, according to late Archbishop Desmond Tutu (RIP),
"If you are neutral in a situation of
injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor".
Like China, Russia has supplied goodies to Africa without so many strings attached for decades, and even helped some African countries when fighting for independence.
What has Ukrain ever done??? Nothing other than underlooking Africa. Given such a history, it’s hard for African leaders to condemn and turn against one of the hands that has been feeding u for Ukrain that has never done anything for African Countries.. when Africans were and are in need, Russia has been there for them.
Now I guess African leaders feel like it’s time for them to be for Russia in it’s time if need. It’s tell the natural human thing to do.
That is the colonial mentality. There will be no clear winner in that war, except for both parties to swallow their arrogance and pride and sit down to negotiate.
But Ennu, prudence requires that: in making the choices between GOOD and EVIL, RIGHT or WRONG, vis-a-vis TRUE or FALSE or the paradoxes thereof; on the one hand, one should know the difference between the lesser and greater evil and wisely choose therefrom.
And on the other, one should know the difference between the Greatest Good and the Lesser Good and wisely choose therefrom.
Mind you, until the collapse of Communism in 1989, Ukraine has been under the grip of the inhumane cold-bloody indifference of Marxist-Leninist Russians influence (Iron Curtain) for ages.
And the Chinese have been under the nasty Bamboo Curtain until 20 years ago, when they adopted the Western Economic model, the very Capitalism, which they had demonized and condemned, causing widespread poverty in China and South East Asia.
The reason Putin want to take over Ukraine is because it will give him power over Ukraine's land products; wheat... that will give him control of not only Europe, but Africa too!
Not to forget that once Putin is in control, China will just walk into Africa & control land riches too!
Putin & Jinping have already declared themselves lifetime ruler so their lands!
Putin's war isn't just for control of Ukraine, but to reform the USSR, control Europe, the world!
Do Putin & Museveni behave as if they will die one day?