Ukraine’s Effort To Open Embassies In Africa Sparks Reactions

A political analyst and international observer, Kassi Kouadio, has analysed the opening of embassies by Ukraine across Africa and other continents.

In an article released on Wednesday, the popular political commentator further revealed that Ukraine intended to open embassies in many other countries with the sole aim of countering Russian influence in those countries.

He wrote: “Ukraine intends to open several embassies on the African continent. On 10 and 11 April, embassies were already opened in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Côte D’Ivoire. Over the next two weeks, six more will be opened: in Ghana, Botswana, Mozambique and Rwanda. Political expert Alaa Dardouri explained the reasons for such a rapid deployment of the Ukrainian presence in Africa.

While quoting Alaa Dardouri, he said: “Ukrainian embassies are not interested in establishing classic diplomatic relations. Kiev is pursuing other goals: trying to thwart Moscow’s influence in Africa.

“Kiev plans to open 20 embassies in Africa. This information was reported by Yurii Pyvovarov, Ukraine’s ambassador in Dakar, who has been appointed interim ambassador for Abidjan, pending the appointment of an ambassador for Côte d’Ivoire. According to the political expert, Ukraine intends to make Côte d’Ivoire the main platform for deploying its strategic influence in West Africa.

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“It’s not a secret that Kiev, as well as Côte d’Ivoire, are actively supported by France. This is one of the main reasons why Kiev chose the ivory country as a base from which to develop its presence. It’s the West’s strategy to form an anti-Russian and anti-Chinese bloc in Africa,” says the expert.

“Nevertheless, Mr Dardouri believes that it would be almost impossible for Ukraine to counter Russia’s influence in Africa.

“The reason is very simple. Russia builds its relations with the countries of the continent on the basis of respect and mutually beneficial cooperation. Africa and Russia are linked by decades of fruitful cooperation in various fields,” says the expert.

Indeed, Russia has a long history of cooperation with its African partners in areas such as education, agriculture, energy and security. Moscow has established itself as a reliable ally which, at the same time, respects sovereignty and does not apply a policy of pressure, a favorite tactic of Western countries.

Emphasising on Dardouri’s position, he quoted further: “To cooperate with Africa, it is not enough for Ukraine to open 20 embassies. The objective must be more noble than opposing Russian influence and supporting the West’s strategy. African countries no longer want to be pawns in the West’s chess game against Russia. The continent has its own vision of what is going on”.

“Russia’s vast network of cooperation on the continent has a distinctive and unique flavor compared to the West. Moscow supplies the continent with grain and fertilizer, is developing cooperation in the energy sector, and a large number of African students study at Russian universities and go on to have successful careers in their own countries,” Kassi Kouadio had penned.