Russia-Ukraine War Extends to Sudan

 The Wall Street Journal published on 6 March 2024 an article titled "Ukraine Is Now Fighting Russia in Sudan" by Ian Lovett, Nikita Nikolaienko, and Nicholas Bariyo.

A group of about 100 Ukrainian commandos are in Sudan fighting on behalf of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which has the support of Russian troops originally with the Wagner Group and now controlled by the ministry of defense.  The Ukrainian commandos are also training and supplying advanced weapons to the SAF troops.

Comment:  The small number of Ukrainian commandos appear to be confined to fighting in the Khartoum capital region where they rarely come in contact with Russian forces who tend to stay out of direct combat and are primarily located in western Sudan.  

Russian Sudan Quest for Red Sea Base in Doubt

 The Jamestown Foundation's Eurasia Daily Monitor published on 14 November 2023 an analysis titled "Russia in the Red Sea: Converging Wars Obstruct Russian Plans for Naval Port in Sudan (Part Three)" by Andrew McGregor.  

Russia was well advanced in obtaining Sudanese approval to establish a naval base on Sudan's Red Sea coast before the outbreak of conflict in April 2023 between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).  Moscow had good relations with both the SAF and the RSF before the beginning of conflict.  But Russia's mercenary Wagner Group has been one of the primary backers of the RSF, which has caused deep concern within the SAF and caused it to put on hold any approval for a Russian base.  

Comment:  An RSF military victory in Sudan might revive the prospects for a Russian military base, but the SAF controls the Red Sea coast for now.  In any event, Sudan would almost certainly remain unstable, and Russia could spend a lot of money creating a base and then find itself in possession of a white elephant.  

Can Africa and China Help End the Russia-Ukraine War?

 Aljazeera published on 27 July 2023 an article titled "Can Africa and China Help End the Russia-Ukraine War?" by Nils Adler.  

There will likely be no peace negotiations soon as neither Ukraine nor Russia is prepared to cede territory.  Eventually, China's influence over Russia and Africa's relative neutrality could make them well-placed to mediate between Kyiv and Moscow.  

Russia Reportedly Snubs African Peace Delegation

 The Washington Post published on 21 June 2023 an article titled "African Leaders Visited with a Peace Plan, Putin Showed Little Interest" by Robyn Dixon.  

African leaders led by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa presented a 10-point peace plan for ending the conflict in Ukraine to Presidents Putin and Zelensky.  The delegation received little encouragement from either president but reportedly interpreted Putin's response as a huge snub.  

Why Ukraine Needs an Africa Strategy

 The Royal United Services Institute published on 4 January 2023 a commentary titled "Why Kyiv Needs an Africa Strategy" by Greg Mills.

The author argues that Ukraine needs to reach out more effectively to African countries to build support for its effort to counter Russian propaganda on the continent. 

Ukraine's Diplomacy Challenges in Africa

 The Kyiv Independent published on 26 September 2022 an article titled "As Ukraine Looks West, Russia Wins over Africa" by Alexander Khrebet.

The author argues that the African continent has been affected by Russian propaganda that depicts Kyiv and European countries as the villains in Russia's invasion of Ukraine.  Kyiv has made little effort to convince Africa otherwise.  No Ukrainian president has ever visited Sub-Saharan Africa and the president of only one African country--South Africa's Jacob Juma in 2000--has ever visited Ukraine.  Russia has 40 embassies in Africa--4 times as many as Ukraine.  There are only 3 Ukrainian embassies in Sub-Saharan Africa--in Senegal, Nigeria, and Ethiopia.   

Ukraine Donates Wheat to Ethiopia and Somalia; Germany and France Cover Transport

 The German Foreign Office posted on 22 September 2022 a press release titled "Ukrainian Wheat for the Horn of Africa: Germany Supports International Assistance Mission."

In spite of Russia's invasion, Ukraine is donating 50,000 tons of wheat to the people of Ethiopia and Somalia.  Germany and France are providing funding to the World Food Program to cover the cost of transportation.  

Russia Outflanks Ukraine in Africa

 The BBC published on 22 June 2022 an article titled "How Russia Has Outflanked Ukraine in Africa" by Paul Melly.

Russia has used its arms sales and military cooperation to advantage in Africa as it competes with Ukraine for influence.  At the same time, the activities of Russia's mercenary Wagner Group may work to its longer term detriment.  

African Union Head to Urge Russia to Release Ukrainian Grain

 The New York Times published on 2 June 2022 an article titled "African Union Head Has Plea for Putin: Release Ukraine's Grain" by Elian Peltier.  

Russia and Ukraine account for more than 40 percent of Africa's wheat imports.  African Union chairman and President of Senegal, Macky Sall, during his upcoming visit to Russia reportedly will urge Vladimir Putin to release the grain that cannot leave Ukraine due to Russia's blockade of Black Sea ports.  

Is the African Union Even Neutral on Putin's Invasion of Ukraine?

 Aljazeera published on 28 May 2022 a commentary titled "Can the African Union Be a Neutral Arbiter of Peace in Ukraine?" by Tafi Mhaka.  

The author questions whether the African Union has the capacity to even be neutral on Russia's invasion of Ukraine inasmuch as some African leaders are afraid of offending Vladimir Putin.  

President of African Union to Visit Moscow and Kyiv

 Agence France Presse published on 23 May 2022 an article titled "African Union Chief Announces Visits to Moscow, Kyiv."

Senegalese president and current president of the African Union, Macky Sall, will soon visit Russia and Ukraine on behalf of the African Union.  He added the African Union will arrange for President Zelensky to address the AU heads of state.  

Ukraine Gets Cold Shoulder in Much of Africa to Putin's Invasion

 South Africa's The Globe and Mail published on 20 May 2022 an article titled "Zelensky Struggles to Gain Support in African Countries as Russian Interests Prevail" by Geoffrey York. 

Ukraine's President Zelensky asked to address African leaders through the African Union.  He is still waiting for a chance to address them.  African countries have shown little support for Ukraine's position on Russia's invasion and some tacitly support Moscow.   

Western Campaign Aimed at Africa to Condemn Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

 Foreign Policy published on 5 May 2022 a commentary titled "Western Allies Pressure African Countries to Condemn Russia"by Robbie Gramer.

A public pressure campaign by Western countries urging African countries to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine could backfire if it takes on a "with us or against us" tone.

Russian Disinformation Has an Impact in West Africa

 The Washington Post published on 21 April 2022 an article titled "He's Pro-Russian, anti-Zelensky and Rallying for Putin in West Africa" by Danielle Paquette.

This is a personalized account of the impact in Burkina Faso and Mali of Russian disinformation concerning the invasion of Ukraine. 

Ukraine's President Asks to Address African Union

 Aljazeera published on 12 April 2022 an article titled "Ukraine's Zelenskyy Requests Address with African Union."

The president of Ukraine made a request to the head of the African Union to address the member states following the neutral position on Russia's invasion of Ukraine by many African states.  

Ukraine Criticized for Effort to Recruit Soldiers in Africa

 Deutsche Welle posted on 8 March 2022 an article titled "Ukraine's Bid to Recruit Fighters from Africa Sparks Uproar."

Ukrainian embassies in several African countries posted notices trying to recruit Africans to join their war against Russia.  The governments of Nigeria, Senegal, and Algeria demanded they stop the recruitment effort, which seems to have backfired. 

Lessons for Africans from Putin's War in Ukraine

 The Brenthurst Foundation posted on 1 March 2022 a commentary titled "Lessons and Consequences for Africa from Putin's Moves and Missteps in Ukraine" by Greg Mills.

The commentary explores some of the different motivations coursing through African countries as they reflect on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.