Africa Watch
Ukraine Crisis and its Impact on Africa

By : Samir Bhattacharya

Page No: 337-351

Abstract
While the conflict in Ukraine rages and threatens to morph into a wider global war, Africa remains a divided house. Most African countries seem to be wary of taking any partisan position on the Ukraine crisis and are reacting in keeping with their national interests. Nevertheless, the post-pandemic, and the post - Ukraine war world situation would be turbulent for Africa. Public health and the economy in Africa were already suffering from the negative impacts of the pandemic. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has given rise to fresh challenges that can further stifle the growth and development of the continent. The Russia - Ukraine war has four interrelated dimensions with profound implications for Africa: food, energy, finance and defence. As the deteriorating humanitarian crisis unfolds in Africa, the Western response to the African suffering only exposes its neglect. Instead of supporting Africa to overcome the catastrophic consequences of the pandemic, the food shortage and inflation caused by sanctions, their focus seems to be to counter Russian influence in Africa. The African reaction to the West’s appeal to condemn Russia underlines that sanctions and paternalism are inadequate policies to convince African leaders to change their positions on Russia.
Author : 
Samir Bhatacharya is a Research Associate at the Vivekanand International Foundation (VIF), He specialises in geopolitics with particular reference to Africa. He is pursuing his Doctoral work in the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

DOI: http://doi.org/10.32381/NS.2022.05.03.4