Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
On 16 June the day of an official visit from an African Peace Delegation, which brought its peace plan to Kyiv, the Russian Air Force carried out a missile strike on the Ukrainian capital. Six Kinzhal air ballistic missiles and six Kalibr cruise missiles were fired. Russia showed its disdain for the African delegation and showed that it does not need any peace plan: all Putin seeks is an indefinite confrontation. Russia is a terrorist state, its crimes affect not only Ukraine but also Africa. Against the background of the Russian Federation’s direct attempt on the African delegation during its stay in Kyiv, the participation of the countries of this continent in the Russia-Africa economic forum, which will be held in St. Petersburg on 26-29 July is absurd.
The visit of official representatives of six African countries to Kyiv was marked by a powerful missile strike by Russia on the Ukrainian capital. The absurdity of the situation is that this delegation was to have talks with Putin on 17 June and that the next country of their visit was Russia. Africa wants to convey its own vision of a possible peace settlement, but Russia bluntly demonstrated its true attitude toward the African peacemaking initiative. The missile strike confirms Russia’s contemptuous, colonial attitude towards Africa, which it considers a geopolitical vassal and a raw materials slave. Russia is a terrorist state that commits war crimes and openly attempts to kill officials from other countries.
Africa must join the international community in boycotting Russia and supporting Ukraine. Cooperation with the Kremlin promises nothing but damage, sanctions, and isolation. Russia has confirmed that its goal is an indefinite war that could lead humanity to catastrophe. In the current situation, supporting the Kremlin is criminal. Putin must be stopped by the combined efforts of the civilised world to restore peace.