Ukraine: has President Zelensky succeeded in convincing the African Union?

The Nelson Mandela Hall at the headquarters of the African Union on June 22, 2020. © RFI / Paulina Zidi

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Volodymyr Zelensky spoke Monday, June 20 by videoconference and behind closed doors before the extended AU bureau which includes the AU chairperson, the chairperson of the AU commission and accredited ambassadors.

This speech by the Ukrainian President comes after the visit of President Macky Sall to Russia on June 3 to request a resumption of exports of Russian and Ukrainian cereals, on which certain African countries are dependent.

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"

 ", launched the Ukrainian president during his speech at the AU, adding that difficult negotiations are underway to "

 ".

Volodymyr Zelensky is trying to obtain "

 ", comments a researcher, in particular to weigh in with the UN bodies.

The Ukrainian president tried to mobilize, to unite the countries of the continent to the Ukrainian cause.

He has launched some unexpected initiatives, such as the appointment of a Ukrainian special envoy for Africa and the holding of a major Africa-Ukraine conference. 

Africa counts for a quarter of the votes in the UN General Assembly.

But nearly half of the continent abstained three months ago in the vote condemning Russian aggression.

Certainly, he has a desire to preserve neutrality, believes another researcher.

But also a desire not to offend Russia, a powerful commercial and military partner on the continent.

►Also listen: International Guest - In front of the African Union, "the Ukrainian president intends to assert his story"

Few reactions

Volodymyr Zelensky did not arrive in conquered territory with the African Union.

His speech has been postponed several times since April, recalls our correspondent in Addis Ababa,

.

This Monday, it did not arouse much interest, only four African heads of state followed it.

This meeting, which was supposed to be a continental meeting, ended up being a meeting between the President of Ukraine and the extended bureau of the African Union.

It gives an indication of the reluctance of African states to listen to the Ukrainian president and that is perhaps the only negative aspect of the meeting.

Ibrahima Kane: 'That meeting [...] was ultimately between the President of Ukraine and the extended office of the African Union'

Claire Fages

For its part, the African Union did not comment, it remained faithful to its approach of non-alignment in this conflict.

Its priority remains the transport of fertilizers and cereals to the mainland, part of which is prevented by the blockade of the port of Odessa.

On social networks, 

thanked the Ukrainian President for his intervention, recalling that Africa remains committed to respect for the rules of international law, the peaceful resolution of conflicts, and freedom Trade.

“

 ,” declared the Senegalese president. 

I thank President @ZelenskyyUa for his friendly address today to the @_AfricanUnion virtual meeting of the Extended Bureau.

Africa remains committed to respect for the rules of international law, the peaceful resolution of conflicts and freedom of trade.

pic.twitter.com/63jZCvamix

— Macky Sall (@Macky_Sall) June 20, 2022

A position reiterated by the chairman of the AU commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, who also recalled the urgent need for dialogue to end the conflict.

Ukrainian president @ZelenskyyU addressed the @_AfricanUnion Assembly today.

We reiterated the AU position of the urgent need for dialogue to end the conflict to allow peace to return to the Region and to restore global stability.

pic.twitter.com/1RaIIp2UbC

— Moussa Faki Mahamat (@AUC_MoussaFaki) June 20, 2022

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• African Union

• Ukraine

• Volodymyr Zelensky

• Macky Hall

• Moussa Faki Mahamat

• Russia