Against all his assurances, Russian President Vladimir Putin on 24th February, 2022 announced, in a pre-recorded television broadcast, that he had ordered “a special military operation” in Eastern Ukraine. Two days before then Putin had announced his country’s recognition of the independence of two pro-Russia breakaway regions in Eastern Ukraine. This catalyzed the first round of economic sanctions from NATO members.
In response to Putin’s action, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ordered the full mobilization of the country’s military to be joined by all Ukrainian males aged 18 to 60. By 27th February Zelensky agreed to send delegations to the Belarusian border for ceasefire negotiations with Russia. The initial round of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia ended with no resolution. A full-scale war has broken out between the two countries. Lives and properties are constantly being lost.
We condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a sovereign country. International relations experts and law analysts differ technically on this war. Beyond their contrasting technical positions, however, the invasion of Ukraine remains one of the most gruesome and inhuman state actions in recent times. It should continue to attract outright condemnation and sanctions by all states, organizations and individual actors who understand the sanctity of human lives within any sovereign nation. The world has gone beyond the stage of might is right. Humanity cannot afford to return to the Hobbesian State of Nature where life is short, nasty and brutish.
Although we welcome both countries meeting to hold talks, we are worried that Russia continues to rain bombs on Ukrainian cities. We call on all stakeholders to respect international laws and convention governing wars and crises. The 1954 and 1999 Convention and Protocols that ensure the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict and the prevention of damage to such heritage in all its forms need to be respected. Under the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2222 (2015), both countries at war and other interested parties have the obligation to protect media professionals and other personnel. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural (UNESCO) has called for protection of children, teachers and other education personnel as well as schools during crises. All the calls should be respected. All concerned should remember that in this war, as evident in the events of the last few days, no country will really win. The military industrial complex gains in terms of arms sales or acquisition.
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The reported discrimination against people of African descent in the process of escaping the war is reprehensible. ECOWAS, AU and the UN must swing into immediate action to save the lives of our people. As reported, the Federal Government has approved funds for evacuation of Nigerians stranded in Ukraine. This is a good development. We call for the evacuation to be meticulously and transparently conducted in the interest of the people affected and the nation at large. Government must also put an eye on our citizens who live in Russia.
The Russia-Ukraine war has created a situation in which every state is out for her national interest, regardless of what cloak they attempt to dress it in. Whichever way the matter is resolved, Ukraine is already wrecked and Russia’s fragile relationship with the West has already collapsed. Russia, however, could find solace in China’s economic orbit where both Moscow and Kyiv will create an alternative socio-economic system. This will ultimately lead to alignment and realignment of forces among the other countries of the world.
To this end, Nigeria’s reaction should address the questions of what her national interests are and how to pursue them. The reported attitudes of Ukrainians towards Nigerians and other Africans in the country deserve condemnation.
Above all, having dominated international politics for more than thirty years of unipolar power play, the West should use this window to show stronger interest in a better Africa with commitment to democracy, good governance and the rights of the people. They cannot afford to continue aiding and abetting the continent’s murderous military and dictatorial governments. African nations should also strengthen their education sector to make migration optional and studying at home attractive.
