By Adama Makasuba
Africa has been praised for condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine during Wednesday’s UN General Assembly as very important after dozens of African nations including The Gambia voted to condemn Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
Speaking to African journalists during a digital briefing, Molly Phee, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs, said the US government ‘strongly’ believes that African voices matter in the international community.
“That your [Africans] voices matter in global conversation. We believe that it is critical at this moment in time that the entire international community demonstrate unity and speak with one voice against this aggression in support of principles,” she said.
This includes, sovereignty, territorial integrity, peaceful resolution of dispute, protection of civilians, she said.
She added that: “ Wednesday, the UN General Assembly voted for a resolution that condemned this aggression and that vote was higher than any vote count we have seen in response to international advance and African votes were very important in that discussion and in that vote.”
According to her, they were important “to send a message that this aggression is unacceptable in Ukraine and anywhere else in the world.”
She described Putin’s aggression as an assault on world order and called on Africans to join the US and its allies in choosing a principle to discuss with people who are now suffering this assault.
“I want you to know that we in the United States are sensitive to the legacy of the cold war particularly in Africa. The position and policy of the Biden’s administration has been to encourage more, not fewer choices, but Putin’s aggression is an assault on world order. We are not asking to choose sides, we are asking Africans to join us in choosing the principle for discussion of people who are suffering this assault,” she pointed out.