US, African Leaders Viewing Resolution of Ukraine Conflict Differently

The leaders of African countries and the United States disagree on how to reach a political settlement to the Ukraine crisis, with the main point of divergence being sanctions against Russia, the Washington Post reported on Tuesday, citing sources.

“The Africans want to see a diplomatic solution to this conflict. We generally do, too, but ‘nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine,’” a senior US administration official was quoted as saying by the newspaper. “The disconnect comes when some of the countries have expressed discomfort with sanctions and critiques of Russia that they think make it more difficult to get to a diplomatic solution.”

The report said that the White House would seek ways to boost the US-African partnership during the United States-Africa Summit in Washington “rather than paternalism” in its interaction with African countries to counter the latter’s sentiments on tackling their problems alone.

The summit hosted by US President Joe Biden will kick off in Washington, DC on Tuesday. Fifty African heads of state are expected to attend the summit, which is scheduled to last through Thursday.

The summit will seek to facilitate economic cooperation between its participants, help promote peace and stability in the region, develop health security, as well as strengthen the global response to climate change, according to the US Department of State.

Source: newsghana.com.gh