In a change to our scheduled programme, we will now be dealing with the ongoing situation in Ukraine.  Global Europe has condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, formerly a part of the Soviet Union. (1)  The African Union has echoed this sentiment, calling on Russia to “respect international law, the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of Ukraine.” (2)

Now reports are emerging that the same Ukrainians the world is expressing solidarity with are racially abusing Afrikans also trying to flee the conflict. (3)

For its part, the rest of global Europe, reluctant to engage in a ground war has imposed a raft of economic sanctions against the Moscow-based administration.  Interestingly, these moves do not include boycotting Russia’s oil and gas.  Some commentators believe there is little chance of this happening as too many countries are dependent on it.  So while much of global Europe berates “Mad Vlad” (4) “$700 million a day will continue to flow into Moscow, strengthening the Kremlin’s belief that it can ride out whatever sanctions are imposed on it.” (5)

In a novel twist, some Afrikans are even advocating support of Putin in particular, citing his active role in training the likes of former Mozambican president the late Samora Machel and current President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Munangagwa to imperialist colonisers. (6)  More generally there are sentiments like that expressed by Aare Kakanfo:

“Russia never colonized 1 single African space. Russia never forced black people to speak Russian or become Christians or Muslims. Russia supported African revolutionaries to crush western imperialism in Africa. Putin trained Samora Machel, Mnangagwa etc how to fight European powers.” (7)

However, yet another view expressed within the community is that it is purely a global Europe issue and not our concern.  As the saying goes: “Cockroach nuh business inna fowl fight”!

(1) Grace Panetta (24/02/22) World leaders condemn Russia’s ‘path of destruction’ in pursuing an ‘unprovoked’ and ‘unjustified’ invasion of Ukraine. https://www.businessinsider.com/russian-invasion-of-ukraine-world-leaders-reactions-2022-2?r=US&IR=T

(2) AFP (25/02/22) African Union slams Russian invasion of Ukraine. https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/african-union-slams-russian-invasion-of-ukraine-3728984.

(3) Nadine White (27/02/22) Ukraine: Concerns mount as black people report racism while fleeing war zone. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-refugees-racism-russia-invasion-b2024175.html; The Sista Shanice Show (28/02/22) Racism in the Ukraine as War Rages Against Russia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-UA57OjGlY

(4) Thomas Kingsley (23/02/22) ‘Stop Mad Vlad!’: How the papers covered the threat of war in Ukraine https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/newspapers-russia-ukraine-war-sanctions-b2021214.html

(5) James Forsyth (25/02/22) African Union slams Russian invasion of Ukraine. https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/to-hurt-putin-go-for-oil-and-gas-not-swift

(6) Mikhesani Media (26/02/22) Opinion: Why Africans Should stand with President Vladimir Putin? See this. https://opera.news/za/en/politics/06e3473eb638432f7e63c8e2da03e98a

(7) Aare Kakanfo (25/02/22) Why #Africans dig Oga Putini. https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=russia%20%20never%20colonized

we ask the question:

Ukraine: What should our position be?

1) Should we, like much of global Europe and the African Union be condemning Putin?

2) Why do Europe’s sanctions not include oil and gas?

3) Is it true that Russia never colonised Afrika and therefore should be supported by us?

4) How can the Afrikans in Ukraine be supported?

5) Is it just a European tribal war and none of our business?

Our Special Guest:

Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centred Education Consultant.  Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of almost 40 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.

Bro. Luwezi Kinshasa: is the Secretary General of the African Socialist International. Born in Congo, he currently lives in exile in London where he presides over the building of the African People’s Socialist Party throughout Africa and Europe. SG Luwezi’s regular column in The Burning Spear newspaper analyses current events and development on the continent of Africa from an African Internationalist perspective. He publishes a bilingual version of The Spear in French and English for distribution in Africa and Europe.

Fluent in eight languages, he has traveled, written and spoken extensively throughout the world and is well-known and respected in London especially among the large Congolese activist community there.