US ambassador to UN accused of trying to bully African countries over Ukraine

The U.S. ambassador to the U.N. warned African countries to “refrain from engaging with U.S.-sanctioned countries,” noting that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is harming the continent.

“Our sanctions on Russia are designed to stop the Russians from continuing aggression against Ukraine […] i will warn [African countries] Do not participate in countries sanctioned by the United States,” Linda Thomas-Greenfield said in a speech to Lusa from the US embassy in Maputo on Monday, August 8.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield made the remarks last week during a working visit to three African countries: Ghana, Cape Verde and Uganda.

For diplomats, while African countries are free to make their own foreign policy decisions, the continent is also suffering from war.

“Africans have the right to decide their foreign policy positions, free from pressure and manipulation, free from threats. But let me be clear […] Previously, more than 190 million people were living with food insecurity in the wake of covid-19. Since the massive Ukrainian invasion, we estimate that number could rise to 230 million,” said Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

“The fact is that it hurts Africa,” the diplomat stressed, noting that Russia and Ukraine provide more than 40 percent of the continent’s wheat supplies.

“Whatever you think about Russia, we have a strong mutual interest in mitigating the impact of the war in Ukraine on food security,” the diplomat added, further clarifying that U.S. sanctions against Russia do not apply to food and Fertilizers are exported, but “commodities”.

The position of US diplomats comes against the backdrop that Mozambique is studying the possibility of buying Russian oil in rubles, if that option is feasible, after Moscow has presented Maputo with the willingness of the mechanism.

“I believe we will study and examine the feasibility of the proposal [from Russia]if survivable, of course [Russian oil] will be acquired,” said Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Carlos Zacarias in rubles.

Mozambique was one of the countries that abstained from voting on two resolutions voted on at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly: one condemning Russia for the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine caused by the war, and another suspending Moscow’s membership in the Human Rights Council.

The Mozambican Liberation Front (Frelimo, the ruling party) was an ally of Moscow in the former Soviet Union, receiving military support in the fight against Portuguese colonialism and economic aid after independence in 1975.

Mozambique’s economic transactions with Russia are estimated at at least US$100 million a year, according to official figures.

Russia launched a military offensive in Ukraine on February 24 that killed more than 5,000 civilians, according to the United Nations, which warned the actual number could be much higher. Russia’s military offensive has caused more than 16 million people to flee, with more than 5.7 million fleeing the country, according to the latest UN figures.

The United Nations also said 15.7 million people in Ukraine need humanitarian aid.

The Russian invasion was widely condemned by the international community, which responded by sending arms to Ukraine and tightening economic and political sanctions on Moscow.

resource: 360 Mozambique

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