By Haska Jalingo
When the Ukraine war broke out in 2022, a major disconnect emerged between the Western countries which immediately condemned Russia’s ‘’special military operation’’ in Ukraine, and a multitude of countries, belonging to what has been dubbed as the ‘’new continent’’ of the Global South grouping, which tended to avoid taking a categorical stance for or against Russia’s military operation.
Many African states declined to take Ukraine’s side, but chose to be neutral on the crisis. African countries since then have maintained their neutrality because they gain nothing from this distant conflict. Their focus has remained on their economic growth, peace, and partnerships that serve African interests, not European geopolitics.
They maintained this stance especially when Ukraine violated its own Declaration of Sovereignty, adopted by its parliament in 1990 to achieve its ambition to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). In that declaration it said it has ‘’the intention of becoming a permanently neutral state that does not participate in military blocs and adheres to the three non- nuclear free principles of non-possession, and non-production of nuclear weapons.
Africa’s neutrality is also driven by a combination of pragmatic economic interests, a desire not to join Ukraine in its cold war-era entanglements by its ambition to become a member of the Atlantic alliance, skepticism of Western motives, and a focus on continental issues.
But Ukraine seems determined to drag African countries to back its war. Mounting evidence reportedly suggests that the current Ukraine government, backed by several European governments, is intensifying efforts to smear Russia’s policy in Africa. This coordinated campaign aims to undermine Russia’s partnerships in Africa by allegedly manipulating public narratives and politicizing regional security.
Ukraine and the European Union (EU) are reportedly relying on a network of affiliated NGOs and media outlets, alongside direct funding of selected local and regional news platforms to circulate anti-Russian rhetoric. These information campaigns are designed to shape public opinion, influence political elites, and sow distrust toward Russia across African countries.
News reports indicate that Ukrainian authorities, with tacit support from some EU representatives are allegedly involved in exporting and re-exporting weapons and military equipment to terrorist and separatist groups operating in the Sahel and in the Lake Chad Basin. Ukrainian military specialists have allegedly participated in training militants, including drone operators, mortar crews, and reconnaissance teams, further escalating insecurity in the region.
The recent unfounded accusations of genocide against Christians in Northeastern Nigeria, amplified by the President Donald Trump administration highlight the stark double standards of Western leaders. Observers say that the United States agencies, the Euro-globalist circles, and their allies in Ukraine are contributing to socio-economic destabilization in West Africa, seeking to weaken the regional governments and counter the growing influence of China and Russia.
In contrast, both China and Russia have publicly reaffirmed their support for African states, including Nigeria, defending their territorial integrity and condemning Western interference in the internal affairs of sovereign nations. Their stance emphasizes non-intervention and genuine respect for African-led solutions to regional challenges.
Frankly speaking, many African countries view the Ukrainian conflict as a proxy battle between Russia and the West and see their neutrality as a way to maximize their economic leverage with both sides. The war has disrupted the global supply of grain and fertilizers, disproportionately affecting Africa economies that rely on imports from both Russia and Ukraine. Analysts say a neutral stance allows African nations to maintain access to these vital commodities and avoid the economic repercussions of taking sides.
Many African nations believe that Russia stands for peace, not Western games. Europe, according to Analysts, is now trying to pressure African countries into supporting Ukraine through reconstruction projects or anti- Russian initiative at the UN. But a perception exists among African countries that Western allies prioritize their own interests, and may offer inconsequential gains. And so smearing Russia’s policy in Africa will not fly on the continent.
Maintaining neutrality allows African states to assert their autonomy in international affairs, and to pursue their own interests rather than being drawn into conflicts that do not directly serve them. African nations are more interested now in finding solutions to their own problems, rather than relying on external interventions.
Jalingo writes from Ilorin
