Can Africa Speak With One Voice?

Africa ’s mixed stance on UN action on Russia explained

Western powers seeking to isolate Russia over Ukraine are disappointed at what they see as lukewarm support from Africa n nations at the UN general assembly — where their 54 votes form a bloc big enough to swing resolutions.

The Ukraine war comes at a time of heightened rivalry between the West, China and Russia for Africa’s natural resources, trade and security ties.

Analysts note that African countries have varying motives when it comes to Russia, so talk of an “African position” makes little sense.

Kenya is pursuing a security partnership with the US against Somalia-based Islamist militants; Nigeria seeks support against Islamic state and Boko Haram; Ghana has sought to deepen US cultural ties by becoming Africa’s premiere slave heritage tourism destination.

Many that do not back the West’s stance — including SA, Eritrea and the Central African Republic — have close trade and security ties with Russia they don’t want to jeopardise.

The diplomatic heavyweight least inclined to back the West is SA, which went so far as proposing an alternative resolution that didn’t mention Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

SA’s close trade and historical ties with Russia are often invoked, but analysts say it’s less to do with this — SA trades many times more with Nato countries — than with its non-aligned ideology, as outlined by foreign minister Naledi Pandor in a speech last week.

Source : Reuters