How African nations have reacted to Russia-Ukraine crisis

Three reps on UN Security Council condemn Russia

Number of countries hint at evacuating nationals from Ukraine

As the world struggles to come to terms with events unfolding in Ukraine where Russia has started armed hostilities on its neighbour, reactions are largely different.

At the heart of the impasse, Russia recognized two provinces of Ukraine – Donestk and Luhensk as independent countries.

A Nigerian analyst summarized the underlying motivation for Moscow’s aggression as follows: “Main issue – NATO expansion across Europe since 1997. Russia doesn’t want Ukraine to join.”

The West continues to threaten fire and brimstone- largely in diplomatic and economic sanctions – which Putin, the Russian leader seems to care less about.

For African countries, the reactions spans the diplomatic – calls for Russia to ‘behave’ – to the humanitarian – asking nationals to remain safe till plans are put in place to evacuate them if need be.

Below are some reactions by African nations

1. Kenya – through their representative on the UN Security Council spoke in harsh terms against Russia likening their (mis) treatment of Ukrainian sovereignty to African colonialism.

Barely two days later, the man in charge at Moscow, Putin, put in an all out assault on Ukraine

Ghana and Gabon, also African reps on the UNSC backed Kenya’s position condemning Russian aggression and upholding Ukrainian sovereignty.

2. Ghana – the Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a statement that read thus:

“The Government of Ghana is gravely concerned about the security and safety of our over 1000 students and other Ghanaians in Ukraine and has asked them to shelter in place in their homes or in government places of shelter as we engage the authorities, our relevant diplomatic missions and our honorary consul on further measures.”

The main students body, the National Union of Ghana Students, NUGS, also issued a statement calling on government to help evacuate stranded students.

3 – South Africa – part of the government statement issued on the matter read: The South African government has expressed concern about the ongoing tensions at the Ukraine and Russia border, as the situation – if allowed to further deteriorate – could have regional and global ramifications.

“All parties have much to gain from a negotiated outcome and much to lose from an unnecessary and violent conflict,” the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, said on Wednesday.

South Africa has urged all parties to devote increased efforts to diplomacy and to find a solution that will help de-escalate tensions and avert armed conflict – this was hours before Putin ordered an invasion.

4 – Nigeria – A statement issued February 24, 2022 confirmed that the federal government was taking steps for a special flight operation to evacuate her citizens from Ukraine in view of the escalating tension between that country and Russia.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama in an exclusive interview with NTA said the Nigerian embassy in Kiev has been contacted to arrange those wishing to the return home from other areas including Donestk and Luhensk.

The minister assured Nigerians that the ministry is following the event since beginning and promised to do everything for the safety of Nigerians in Ukraine, particularly students.

The government’s initial response was, however, triggered by a fake news red alert that went viral.

The Ministry, subsequently debunked the fake statement which was warning citizens against travel to six countries amid escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

The countries included Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova.

“The ministry strongly condemns this mischievous act and urges the general public to disregard the content of the fake press release,” it said in a Twitter statement.

5 – Sudan – the second-in-command of the ruling junta, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo travelled to Moscow two days ago, with the view to bolster ties between the two nations.

In an interview clip shared on social media, it has been reported that he gave backing to his host’s decision to recognize two Ukrainian provinces as independent nations.

Meanwhile, in Botswana, the Russian Embassy is busily tweeting a robust defense for the invasion of Ukraine.

“Russia has proven its ability to minimise the inflicted damage regardless of the costs that come with the sanctions (of the US),” a formal statement read.