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The ongoing Ukraine peace summit held in Switzerland has exposed the sparse representation of African nations on the continent’s engagement in global diplomatic endeavors.
A total of 160 countries were initially invited to the summit in Switzerland, with the expectation that heads of state would attend. However, only 57 delegations ultimately arrived.
Of those 57 delegations, 13 were from African countries out of the 54 total countries on the continent. This represents less than a quarter of the invited African nations.
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The African delegations included leaders and representatives from Benin, Cape Verde, Comoros, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, South Africa, and Somalia.
Interestingly, the South African delegation was headed by Sidney Mufamadi, a member of the ruling ANC party, instead of an incumbent government representative.
One significant attendee was the President of Somalia,Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The presence of the Somali president, who took a stance against UN resolutions targeting Russia, exemplifies the diversity of African positions on the Ukraine conflict.
This diversity underscores the importance of inclusive dialogue that considers Africa’s wide-ranging geopolitical considerations in global decision-making processes.
Also Read:China Declines Attending Zelensky-led Ukraine Peace Summit
With only 13 out of 54 countries present at the summit, Africa’s limited participation raises questions about its role in shaping international peace and security.
Indeed the extremely low African turnout at the much anticipated Ukraine-funded summit led by Zelensky, has raised questions about the event’s ability to achieve broad international buy-in to resolve the Ukrainian crisis.
The absence of a substantial African presence at such a much publicized yet failed agenda, clearly portrays a missed opportunity for the continent to contribute its perspectives and solutions to the complex geopolitical landscape surrounding the Ukraine-Russia crisis.
As leaders from Benin, Cape Verde, Comoros, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, South Africa, and Somalia convened in Switzerland, the limited African representation highlighted a broader disconnect between Africa and global diplomatic initiatives.
Africa is the world’s second largest and second-most populous continent after Asia.
The continent’s rich natural resources, from the oil fields of Nigeria to the diamond mines of Botswana, Gold, from Ghana and Ivory Coast,play a significant role in the global markets.
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