A high-level seminar to discuss the negative impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on the African continent and devise sustainable solutions to address the matter was yesterday held by the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC).
The seminar also afforded participants the opportunity to propose strategies and sustainable measures to address the negative impact of the ongoing conflict on the African continent.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Deputy Commandant of the KAIPTC, Air Commodore George Arko-Dadzi, stated that a year after the Russian-Ukraine conflict prices of commodities continued to be affected thereby impoverishing some countries on the African continent, hence the need to provide sustainable solutions.
“One year has passed since the Russia-Ukraine conflict erupted, disrupting prices of food and energy around the world and leaving several nations reeling from its aftershocks. Africa has not been exempted from the effects of the conflict which includes increased food prices, break in diplomatic channels just to name a few,” he explained.
He said the impact of the Russia-Ukraine crisis on Africa might go beyond economic and social implications as there were concerns about the emergence of proxy wars, waning commitment to democratisation, and undermining of African multilateralism.
The Deputy Commandant stated that although the global sanctions on Russia have been intensified, the impacts of the conflicts were still being felt on a global scale adding that “the ensuing impasse between Russia and the West threatens world peace.”
He urged Western countries to review the isolated sanctions imposed on Russia as it was capable of negatively affecting Africa in the form of rising prices for goods such as grains, oil, and fertiliser.
Air Commodore Arko-Dadzi added that some rogue African heads of state who would not want to give up power after their tenure might seek Russian backing which would threaten the peace and security of the continent.
The Deputy Director of the Faculty of Academic Affairs and Research (FAAR), KAIPTC, Dr Emma Birikorang, stressed the need to identify Russia’s long-term and short-term goals for the African continent during its ongoing impasse with Ukraine.
She added that the ongoing conflict could lead to an increase of insecurity on the continent due to existing protracted armed conflicts in the Sahel and elsewhere with related issues such as environmental degradation.
BY JESSEL LARTEY THERSON-COFIE
