Conflict Mediation "The African delegation in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict"

Abstract

The Russian-Ukrainian war, previously referred to as the Ukrainian crisis in its initial phase, is an ongoing international conflict between Russia, along with Russian-backed separatists, and Ukraine that began in February 2014. Since the conflict began, the Russian army has been gaining territory, controlling regions such as Bakmut, Donetski, Lobkove, Tokmak, Mariupol, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, Donbas, and a part of the annexation of Crimea in 2014. It is estimated that at least 62,295 people were killed, at least 60,117 people suffered non-fatal injuries, at least 15,000 people were missing, about 17 million people were killed, at least 140,000 buildings were destroyed and about $411 billion in property damage. Therefore, for the African continent, the consequences are visible, especially in increased imports of commodities from Russia, in addition to international pressure, especially from its allies, and the US, who want Africa to take sides in the conflict. However, the continent refuses to follow a non-African agenda in its international politics, given the historical past of colonialism and the consequences of the cold war for the continent. Therefore, the African Union has taken the initiative to mediate the conflict on its own terms.