Dmitry KulebaUkraine’s foreign minister said on Thursday that there are at least three reasons for African countries to support Ukraine.
Speaking at a special press conference organized by the Africa Regional Media Hub, Mr. Kuleba referenced Africa’s colonial history by saying that Africa should “understand very well how it feels to be attacked by a power that cannot abandon the idea of their supremacy over our nation and their colonial and imperialist ambitions…”
Another reason, according to Kuleba, is that if Russia is successful in Ukraine, it will be a clear message to the entire international community and to all countries that want to attack their neighbors that there is no world order that can protect them.
“That the powerful can do whatever they want to impose their will on the part of the other,” Kuleba said.
The third argument, according to him, is the current challenge of food security. According to him, the longer the war lasts, the more difficult it will be to get agricultural products to Africa.
He accused Russia of intentionally blockading its (Ukrainian) seaports to encourage a new wave of colonization aimed at reshaping the global food system and making it more dependent on Russia than ever.
According to the World Economic Forum, 14 African countries depend on Russia and Ukraine for more than half of their wheat imports, while almost half of the continent depends on imports for more than a third of its wheat.
Aside from looming supply constraints, this crisis has already pushed up foodgrain prices by more than 25 percent.
Kuleba added that Russia’s attack on Ukraine’s agricultural infrastructure to inflict maximum damage on its food production capacity is deliberately inflicting damage on African states that depend on Ukrainian agricultural exports.
“I urge the world and all African states to work together and put pressure on Russia to allow a safe sea route for our food exports,” he said, adding that African states have a crucial role in this.
African capitals are important and influence Russia’s position, said the ogival.
By preventing Ukraine from exporting its agricultural products, Russia is trying to drive Ukraine out of its traditional markets in African countries, he added.
Thousands of people have been killed and millions more displaced since Russia invaded Ukraine in February.
The invasion has been condemned by many countries as a violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and the international order.
Russia called the invasion a “special military operation” to rid Ukraine of neo-Nazis and protect Russia from NATO expansion to its borders.
Most of the countries that condemned the invasion and declared their support for Ukraine are Western countries and allies of the United States. Most African countries have been largely neutral on the matter, preferring to call for peace rather than condemn Russia’s actions.