In an interesting twist of events, Russia, which is leading an invasion and its leader being accused of war crimes is now President of the UN Security Council; an international body whose sole obligation is to maintain world peace.
The announcement was a slap in the face of Ukraine’s attempts to block Russia from holding the month-long presidency. As fate will have it, Russia’s turn fell on April and Ukraine branded it as the worst April fool’s joke.
Each of the Security Council’s 15 members takes up the presidency for a month, on a rotating pattern. The last time Russia had the presidency in February 2022, it launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This spurred Kyiv’s calls for Moscow to be blocked from holding the presidency again. However, Moscow could not be blocked from assuming the post because it is a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
The world, Africa especially, is bearing the brunt of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. African leaders have always seized the opportunity to drum into the ears of their countrymen that COVID-19 and Russia’s invasion are to be blamed for the high cost of living, shortage of food amongst others. One can say that the duration of the war is directly proportional to the difficulties Africans will face.
As such, Ghana is suffering the ripple effects from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, such as higher costs for food and fuel. Speaking at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly last year, President Akufo-Addo averred that the war has had an impact on the economies of African countries including Ghana.
The Ghanaian President noted that while the country was grappling with the consequences of COVID-19, Russia invaded Ukraine, aggravating the already difficult situation.
“It is not just the dismay that we feel at seeing such deliberate devastation of cities and towns in Europe in the year 2022; we are feeling this war directly in our lives in Africa. Every bullet, every bomb, every shell that hits a target in Ukraine hits our pockets and our economies in Africa.”
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
Additionally, President Akufo-Addo echoed this stance in the 2023 State of the Nation Address, saying, “I have said, and many others, including the Managing Director of the IMF, have said that our economy was doing well until COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine took us off course.”
The war has also become a dividing line at the United Nations, where some African leaders have condemned the invasion and others have abstained from voting against it. Mali, the Central African Republic, Ethiopia, the Republic of Congo, South Africa, Sudan, Uganda, and Zimbabwe were among the African countries that abstained.
Commenting on the main events planned during the Russian Presidency of the UN Security Council, Moscow’s Ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia disclosed that three central events are being planned, all in the format of open debates, including one on arms control.
Russia Has Plans For African States
Apparently, Russia has Africa in its good books. On March 30, 2023, Nebenzia stated at the UNSC debate; “Peace and Security in Africa: The impact of development policies in the implementation of the Silencing the Guns Initiative” that the Soviet Union rendered immense assistance to African nations in their fight against colonialism, racism, and apartheid. He added that Russia engages continuously to help with ensuring peace and security in Africa.
“One of our tracks of cooperation is formation of efficient armed forces and law enforcement, i.e. with a view to countering the terrorist threat. Military officers from dozens of African states are currently taking courses in higher education facilities of the Russian Defense Ministry and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.”
Vassily Nebenzia
Russia provides assistance to African states through the mechanisms of the UN Development System, including WFP, WHO, UNIDO, UNDP, FAO.
More than $20 billion of African debt has been written off by Moscow as part of the initiative on Debt Relief Under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries.
Nebenzia also divulged that Moscow’s subsequent cooperation with Africa will be discussed at the second Russia-Africa summit to take place on 26-29 July, 2023 in St. Petersburg.
These point out that Russia seeks to build stronger ties with the African continent. Thus, Africa has nothing to lose because Russia is not out to veto resolutions that can benefit Africa. What’s more, Vladimir Putin, Russia President has already affirmed that his country will continue to give priority to co-operation with African states.
South Africa for one, holds Moscow in high esteem due to its historical ties; USSR was of immense help during the apartheid. In February, its navy held joint exercises with Russian forces off the coast of South Africa.
Africa should not be perturbed but rather monitor developments closely and be proactive so that when things go south, much will not be affected.
