Musings From Abroad

Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, plans to strengthen relations with Africa, others

Published

1 month ago

December 24, 2022

Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskiy has hinted at what could be his country’s diplomatic leanings in coming years with efforts to build relations with Africa, Latin America, and Asia for what he called “colossal economic potential” and other international benefits.

Zelenskiy said diplomats would focus on countries where Ukraine has lesser influence, particularly in the Global South.

“There is the colossal economic potential and considerable diplomatic avenues,” he said.

In February, Russia invaded Ukraine in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War that began in 2014.

The invasion caused Europe’s largest refugee crisis since World War II with around 7.3 million Ukrainians fleeing the country and a third of the population displaced.

Zelenskiy has singled out votes in support of Ukraine from developing countries at the United Nations General Assembly as it fights off Russia’s 10-month-old invasion.

Ukraine has been trying to rally African countries to its cause by promoting a humanitarian grain initiative to alleviate famine in vulnerable countries.

Zelenskiy told the diplomats, “we are overhauling relations with dozens of African countries, … next year we need to strengthen this.”

Despite the geographical distance, there are important ties between Ukraine and Africa. More than 8,000 Moroccans and 4,000 Nigerians are studying in Ukraine and over $4 billion in exports from Ukraine to Africa.

Related Topics:Featured Russia/Ukraine War Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskiy

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Musings From Abroad

US Secretary, Anthony Blinken, reveals concern over human rights in Egypt

Published

1 day ago

January 30, 2023

Ifeoluwa Dada

The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken has revealed that the US is concerned over human right abuses in North African country, Egypt.

Blinken made the position known During a press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, noting that the development top item on the agenda in talks with Egypt’s president and foreign minister during a visit to Cairo on Monday.

Human rights defenders are critical to building just and successful societies. I met with members of Egyptian civil society, heard inspiring stories of their work to protect fundamental freedoms for all, and reiterated the centrality of human rights to U.S. foreign policy. pic.twitter.com/2w3AKYe8z3

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) January 30, 2023

Blinken said the United States would continue to encourage Egypt to take further actions on human rights, including releasing more political prisoners and reforming pre-trial detention.

He also said holding elections in Libya this year was the only viable path to a durable solution in the country.

Musings From Abroad

Months after truce with Tigray region, US official insists Eritrean troops still at Ethiopian borders

Published

2 days ago

January 29, 2023

Ifeoluwa Dada

Months after peace was brokered between crises involving the Ethiopian government, Eritrea, and the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front, a senior United State official has revealed Eritrean troops are still in Ethiopia although they have moved back the border.

The United State Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said at a news conference during a visit to the Kenyan capital Nairobi, that “with respect to Eritreans we understand they have moved back to the border and they have been asked to leave.”

The alleged presence of the Eritrean troops contradicts Ethiopian authorities’ position on the departure of the Eritreans who fought alongside the Ethiopian military and allied militias in the two-year conflict that pitted the Ethiopian government against rebellious forces in the northern region of Tigray.

Meanwhile, the allegation has been denied by a senior Ethiopia military officer briefing foreign officials on Saturday.

“There is no other security force in the Tigray region except the FDRE Defense Forces,” Major General Teshome Gemechu said, using an acronym for the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

The Ethiopian government nor any of its officials have made official reactions to the allegations. The government spokesperson Legesse Tulu, Redwan Hussein, national security advisor to the prime minister, and Colonel Getnet Adane, spokesperson to Ethiopian Army also did not respond to requests for comment on claims by Thomas-Greenfield and Getachew.