Ukraine Objects to African Parliament Visit
The Ukrainian government has strongly protested against a visit by the Pan-African Parliament delegation to Russian-occupied areas in Donetsk. The delegation included members from 12 African countries.
Ukrainian officials say Russia is using this visit to gain legitimacy for its occupation of Donetsk. They also believe Russia is trying to recruit mercenaries from Africa to fight in Ukraine‘s war. Many soldiers have been killed or injured, and Russia needs more troops. To get them, Russia promises well-paid jobs that are not actually combat roles.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called on the African Union and Pan-African Parliament leaders to condemn this visit. They want these leaders to refuse any contact with Russian officials in Ukraine’s occupied territories.
Twelve countries from Africa were represented at the delegation: Ethiopia, Tanzania, Malawi, Uganda, South Sudan, Comoros Islands, Equatorial Guinea, Djibouti, Eswatini, Zambia, Somalia, and Mozambique. Ukrainian officials say these parliamentarians took part in a Russian propaganda campaign.
By doing so, they showed disrespect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and ignored international law principles, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated. The visit also contradicted Ukraine’s good relations with African countries and the Pan-African Parliament’s founding principles.
The African Union leadership made a joint statement on February 24, 2022, calling on Russia to respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty. Ukrainian officials say Russian actions are a crime against humanity. They report $726 million in damages from Russian grain theft and destruction, aimed at erasing Ukraine’s economic survival.
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