Russia and Ukraine compete for diplomatic support in Africa

16:01, 06/06/2023

The diplomatic competition between Russia and Ukraine is fiercely taking place in Africa, in which both sides have the same goal: attracting the support of African countries.

Far from the front lines in Ukraine, another competition is taking place between Moscow and Kiev, a struggle for diplomacy rather than weapons, according to a recent commentary by Türkiye's Anadolu news agency.

Anadolu said that the diplomatic competition between Russia and Ukraine is now taking place in Africa, where both sides have the same goal: to attract the support of African countries. Therefore, the Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers both made a trip to the continent last weekend.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has made a surprise visit to Kenya, East Africa's largest economy, ahead of a two-day BRICS foreign ministers' summit in South Africa.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (left) and his South African counterpart Nadeli Pandor in Pretoria, January 2023. Photo: AFP

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba arrived in Nigeria's capital Abuja, with other stops in Mozambique, Rwanda and Ethiopia.

It was Mr Lavrov's fourth visit to Africa since the conflict in Ukraine broke out in February last year, while Mr Kuleba made his second visit to the continent.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has seen the emergence of several fronts across the world. Western countries, primarily the United States and its allies, strongly support Kiev, providing aid in all forms, material, financial and moral.

However, many countries in the rest of the world remain neutral on the conflict in Ukraine – including African nations.

Political analysts in Africa also recognize the reasons for Moscow and Kiev's increasing access to the continent.

“These visits are aimed at gaining diplomatic support from Africa, especially for future votes at the United Nations,” said Dirk Kotze, professor of political science at the University of South Africa in Pretoria.

Many African countries abstained when the UN General Assembly held a vote on the conflict last year, saying neutrality was in line with their non-aligned foreign policy, Mr Kotze explained.

Changing that stance is likely to be a top priority for Ukraine, as Mr Kuleba, Ukraine’s top diplomat, acknowledged during his recent trip, insisting that African countries must realize that “neutrality is not the answer.” He also stressed that Ukraine wants support and assistance from Africa.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba (left) during his visit to Ethiopia. Photo: Pravda

Speaking in Ethiopia on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the African Union, Foreign Minister Kuleba said his visit was a sign of Kiev's "genuine commitment to a new era of relations" between Ukraine and Africa.

“We came to talk as equals and work as partners,” Mr. Kuleba said, stressing that “as one of the founding countries of the United Nations, Ukraine has always defended and promoted the interests of African countries.”

As part of the diplomatic effort, Mr. Kuleba announced in Mozambique that Ukraine will soon establish an embassy in the capital Maputo, an important step in the “first visit in the history of bilateral relations” between the two countries.

A statement from the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said the opening of the embassy was a decision in line with “the restoration of Ukrainian-African relations”.

Mametlwe Sebei, head of the South African Industrial Workers' Union, said it was clear that both Russia and Ukraine were competing for African support at the United Nations.

“But they are also looking at much more. They see Africa not only as a consumer market but also as a source of raw materials for the upcoming green energy industries,” said Mr. Sebei.

As for support for Russia on the continent, Mr. Sebei said many African countries have a sympathetic view of Moscow “because of its anti-colonial legacy from the Soviet era,” despite the fact that “Russia today has changed.”

Mr. Sebei also said that Western powers are using Ukraine as a front in an effort to reduce China's growing influence in Africa.

It was a point that Foreign Minister Kuleba appeared to directly address in his speech in Ethiopia, when he stressed that “supporting Ukraine is neither pro-Western nor anti-Western.”

Mr. Kuleba also spoke about Ukraine's “Africa First strategy,” in particular how the country is “increasing political dialogue with many countries on the continent” and even plans to “host the first Ukraine-Africa Summit.”

For his part, Professor Kotze pointed out that Kiev has many opportunities to develop in Africa, but “it will take time for Ukraine” because “Russia has a tradition of cooperating with African countries, selling weapons to some countries and even helping some countries in their struggle against colonialism”.

According to VNA/Tintuc

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