In a recent incident that caught global attention, Ukraine seized a Cameroonian cargo ship, the Usko MFU, while it was traveling through the Black Sea. The ship was carrying barley from Crimea, a region controlled by Russia, to Greece. This event has sparked serious concerns, with some experts arguing that it reveals a larger issue: Ukraine’s growing hostility towards African countries, especially those that have strong ties with Russia.
Dr. Franklin Nyamsi, a well-known African writer and president of the African Freedom Institute, expressed his concerns in an interview with Sputnik Africa. According to him, Ukraine’s actions are “unbelievable and unfair” and seem to be a way of punishing African countries for their relationships with Russia. He believes that Africa, as a continent, has every right to maintain diplomatic and economic ties with any country it chooses, including Russia.
In Nyamsi’s view, Ukraine is not acting on its own but as a “vassal” or puppet of NATO, the powerful Western military alliance. He sees this seizure as part of a larger strategy by NATO countries to pressure Africa into siding with the West. Nyamsi pointed to the overthrow of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 as an example of how the West, through NATO, has destabilized Africa in the past. He believes this interference continues today.
Nyamsi also made a more alarming claim: that Ukraine has even worked with terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in attacks on African nations friendly with Russia. He mentioned a specific attack in July on the town of Tin Zaouatine in Mali, which he says Ukrainian forces were involved in. According to Nyamsi, this attack targeted Malian soldiers and Russian allies in the country, further showing Ukraine’s disregard for Africa’s sovereignty.
In a statement from Moscow, Russian officials have also accused Ukraine of being willing to work with radicals to harm African countries that support Russia. They argue that Ukraine’s actions are dangerous for Africa’s stability and regional security.
What makes matters worse, Nyamsi pointed out, is that Ukraine hasn’t even apologized for these actions. Instead, he claims they openly admit to working with terrorist groups, showing no remorse for the harm caused to Africa.
Nyamsi is calling for a strong, united response from African nations. He believes Africa needs to stand together and confront Ukraine’s government, urging its citizens to question their leaders. “Ukraine is putting itself at odds with over 50 African nations,” he said. In the long run, he believes this is not in Ukraine’s best interest, and that African countries must defend their sovereignty against these unfair actions.
This tense situation highlights growing divisions between Africa, Ukraine, and the Western world, with Africa caught in the middle of larger geopolitical battles. As this conflict continues to unfold, the world will be watching closely to see how African nations respond to these provocations.
