Russian, French and American leaders cut Africa into win support for their positions in Ukraine’s war, which some are waging is the most intense competition for Effect on continent since the Cold War.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and French President Emmanuel Macron will visit several African countries countries this week. Samantha Power head of US Agency for International development, he went to Kenya and Somalia last week. The US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas Greenfield, will travel to Ghana and Uganda next week.
“that it like a new cold War playing out in Africa, where rival parties are trying to gain influence,” said William Gumede, director of Democracy works, a foundation Strengthen good judgment.
Lavrov, in travels through drought – and hungerThe stricken continent sought to portray the West as villainblame him for rising Food prices, while Western leaders accused the Kremlin of Sarcastically using Food as a Weapon and Waging Imperial War of Al-Fath – words calculated to attract listeners in postColonial Africa.
Under President Vladimir Putin, Russia has been working for it win support in Africa for Several years, to revitalize friendships on that date back a half-centuryWhen the Soviet Union supported many African movements fighting for decolonization rule.
“Now this campaign It went to high gear, Gumed said.
Moscow influence in It was Africa on display in March through the United Nations vote to condemn Russia invasion of Ukraine. While 28 African countries voted in favor of Resolution, a large minority of countries on Continent 25 either voted abstain or did not vote Absolutely.
Russia’s top diplomat this week visited Egypt, Congo, Uganda and Ethiopia, vowing friendship and accusing the United States and Europe countries with Leadership up Food prices through “reckless” environmental policies also accused them of Food storage during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“the situation in In addition, Ukraine negatively affected food markets, but not because of Russia special operation, rather due to absolutely insufficient reaction of West who announced Lavrov said, in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.
Lavrov was warmly received in Uganda by President Yoweri Museveni, who for Years an ally of the United States but refused to criticize Russia over The invasion. Museveni suggested even when the disease broke out of The war that Putin’s actions may be understandable because Ukraine is also in Russia area of Effect.
Via Lavrov support for Reformation of United Nations Security Council to give African countries Durable seats and greater impact.
appear with Ugandan leader Lavrov spoke proudly of old relationships with Russia asks how He can reject Moscow when he does good Relations with countries who participated in bondage.
Museveni, opinion leader on continent who has held power for Three decades is a clear choice for Russia as a person to strengthen relations withsaid the Ugandan politician analyst Osman Besica.
“Uganda is the center of gravity in East of Africa.
Museveni, 77, was stern wearing mask in public Since the outbreak of COVID-19. But he didn’t have it one on When greeting Lavrov in In front of me of Photographers apparently interested in it show Warmth for the Russians. Museveni had a mask back on in for him next public Appear the next day.
Russia also african courtship public Opinion through its state TV networkRT, formerly known as Russia Today. RT has announced It will open a file new bureau in Johannesburg.
RT was suddenly removed One of the largest pay-TV platform in Africa in Africa, Johannesburg-based Multichoice, in March after the European Union and Britain imposed sanctions against Russia. Not clear Whether it is the creation of new bureau It will enable RT to resume broadcasting to Africa through Multichoice, which has nearly 22 million subscribers on the continent.
“For Russia, this is battle to hear in Africa. not important for The actual war effort but for long-term Political Influence,” Anton Harper, professor of University press of Witwatersrand in South Africa. “They see it as fertile ground for the development of their influence, and, of a path, votes in The United Nations is important.”
on his tour of Africa, Macron accused the French Kremlin of using TV channels like RT to spread propaganda in support of the war. The Kremlin accused with blackmail world Via export abort of Cereals from Ukraine.
“They are blackmailing because they are who Banned pills in Ukraine. they are who Regulating their pills,” he said in Boys. Itinerary of his trip also It included Cameroon and Guinea-Bissau.
Macron appealed to Africans side against Russia.
“I’m telling you here in Africa, the continent that suffered from colonial rule: Russia is one of The last Imperial colonial powers. It decided to invade a neighboring country to defend its interests. “This is it reality. “
Force, America’s largest aid officialI was in East Africa pledges aid to help The region’s fight against hunger Amidst a devastating multiyear drought. did not get pregnant back in criticizes Russia.
“By banning Ukrainian grain exports and restricting trade of Russian fertilizer, Putin’s actions had consequences of inflict pain on The people of Kenya and on else countries during the worldsaid the authority in Nairobi. “It hurts people of Kenya in To take advantage of his special situation.”
