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Africa's Russia-Ukraine Peace Initiative Shows Continent Is 'Not On The Edge Of Humanity'

15:53, 20 May 2023
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The African peace mission that will soon visit Moscow and Kiev proves that the continent knows how to assume its responsibilities on the international stage, two African political scientists told Sputnik. Africa's neutrality can also help negotiations.
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Africa is proving that it has a role to play internationally by sending a peace mission to try to pick up the pieces between Kiev and Moscow, Benoit Ngom, director of the African Diplomatic Academy, told Sputnik in an interview.
The political scientist pointed out that the continent has already acted as a mediator in the past - for example by establishing the famous "Committee of Wise Men" in 1971 to find a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian problem. The presidents of Senegal, Cameroon and Nigeria were among the participants. The Initiative for Peace in Ukraine follows in the footsteps of these elders.

"With this initiative, Africa is showing that it wants to be an actor in international relations [...]. African leaders are showing that the continent is not on the edge of humanity, that it knows how to assume its responsibilities," said Ngom.

Bayala Lianhoue Imhotep, a political scientist from Burkina Faso, agreed with Ngom, adding that the African initiative could also be seen as a gesture of emancipation. The continent no longer wants the former colonial powers to take the lead in diplomacy.
"It is also the coronation of the emancipation of African countries that were under the tutelage of the West. They understood that they had to stop delegating their diplomatic responsibilities to other actors and represent themselves [...]. Africa no longer wants to be represented by a Western partner that has historically been ungrateful and unappreciative," he said.
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Neutrality and experience

To carry out their mission, the six heads of state will be able to capitalize on the neutrality of most African countries in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has led to the continent not supplying arms to Russia or Ukraine, unlike many Western countries, Ngom said.

"Africa has no weapons to sell to Ukraine or Russia, it can neither arm Moscow nor Kiev [....]. These six heads of state have been chosen in a fairly balanced way, I believe they will be able to bring the voice of Africa to the rest of the world, I would even say a doctrinal contribution of our continent through our concept of peace and coexistence between nations," explained the political scientist.

The African continent, which has itself been the scene of many conflicts, also has experience in conflict resolution, adds Bayala Lianhoue Imhotep. A heavy and rich history that makes the peace mission in Ukraine even more legitimate.

"Africa has experience in resolving conflicts. For a long time, the continent has been plagued by conflicts [...] Africa has a history and experience, through South African apartheid or the genocidal conflict in Rwanda. It is experience that can be used," he said.

The African peace initiative will bring together the leaders of South Africa, Egypt, Zambia, Senegal, Uganda, and Congo-Brazzaville. It is expected to travel to Moscow and Kiev in mid-June to try to restart dialogue between the two warring parties.
This is the first time that a peace initiative has been accepted by the Russian and Ukrainian sides, Jean-Yves Ollivier, the initiator of the project, recently told Sputnik.
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