Africa should never allow themselves to drawn at the centre of the Russia-Ukraine war, while Russia and the west are looking for safe havens in Africa, in order to better their economic woes. Many people are queuing behind president Putin in Africa, as reprisal attack to end Western neo-colonialism and give Africa other options to explore, but just like Russian, the West has never been true friends of Africa, they run to Africa when other options have proved abortive, knowing African leaders are not one minded which will be easier for them, to sway them into believing whatever proposal they are bringing to the table.
While Russian president has enjoyed enough popularity for Russia-Ukraine war, in Africa, European countries are looking for alternative for Russian gas, which has sparked Africa romance from both sides, still exploring their options in Middle-East. On July 24, Russia’s foreign minister Sergey Lavrov visited north African country, Egypt in country’s capital- Cairo, at the start of a five-day tour of Africa to strengthen Russia’s alliance with African countries with his four-nation expedition covering Uganda, Egypt, Ethiopia and the Republic of the Congo by portraying the course which Russia is fighting for and to guarantee territorial safety. Now Africa has suddenly turn to safe havens, it is up to African Union to put the interest of average citizens of any African countries at the centre of their discussion without seeing it as another opportunity to keep enriching themselves at the expense of the poor masses, this can turn development in Africa at higher level.
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Many issues have sparked this tense to visit Africa- food crisis, oil and gas and possible discussion of allies. Lavrov, after his stay in Cairo made blatant statement directing at the European colonial crimes in Africa alleging that Russia has “not stained itself with the bloody crimes of colonialism”. There could be no true intent of protecting Africa welfare from his statement but, just to keep disparaging the West in Africa, to frustrate any Western efforts in Africa, but just like Russia, the West has never sought for the welfare of Africa, Africa should avoid being drawn into an economic war between Russia and the West, it will be dangerous to take sides, explore both opportunities and use it for betterment and development of nations in Africa.
Russia feels to be ahead of the West in search of Africa soul to drawn interest with them, while Africans have seriously blamed the West for instability politically and economically in Africa due to colonialism and still meddling with internal affairs of most countries in Africa to drive home their interest which is at the forefront of their actions. Russia could never be the saviour in Africa, supporting them will always come with costs, a country that is carrying out ongoing war against his neighbour to achieve personal aims without prioritizing the welfare of ordinary citizens with the situation and alleged war crimes committed in Ukraine, and the desire to annex part of Ukraine regions into Russia, can never put the interest of Africa at the front, it is a path African leaders need to thread carefully, while bagging to rebuild and secure Africa without jeopardizing any alliance, the pair are never true friends of Africa.
