What impact has Russia's war in Ukraine had on Africa? | DW News

It's been one year since Russia began it's invasion of Ukraine. Now while a war in Europe may seem far away from Africa, the impact has been felt by many across the continent of Africa. We asked some in Kenya and Nigeria how the war has affected them.
Some African countries imported up to 80 percent of their wheat from either Ukraine or Russia. Kenya for example used to import a third of its total wheat supply from the two warring nations. But now wheat producers and consumers are feeling the effects of war. Our correspondent Felix Maringa reports from Kenya.
Some African governments would rather seek a political position that works for them at home and abroad. In the latest vote at the UN General Assembly, 15 African nations abstained from a resolution that calls for Russia to end hostilities in Ukraine and withdraw its forces. That's nearly half of all the abstentions. So why is that? Our correspondent Mariel Mueller looks at some of the possible reasons to choose non-alignment.
The war in Ukraine has also dealt a heavy blow to thousands of African students there who were forced to flee. A year later, many are still struggling to re-adjust to life and studies back home. DW’s Isaac Kaledzi met two medical students in Ghana's capital, Accra.
Farmers across Africa have suffered hikes in fertilizer prices - as their components come mainly from Russia and Ukraine. And this has affected their crop yields.
But there is a way out - in Ghana most farmers are now turning to manure as an alternative. The rush for the dung is proving profitable. DW’s Maxwell Suuk reports from Ghana’s northeastern town of Bunkpurugu.

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[omarid]

It’s amazing that the same Europeans who were conveniently forgot how Africans were treated by the Ukrainians at the start of the war expect African nations to give an ish about Ukraine.

[bradleyroth]

Annexing countries is obviously illegal. Not to mention executing civilians and widespread war crimes.

[Dylandog]

I think the South African expert on foreign policy is most excellently "treading on the territories of double standards". On the one hand she talks about the country's commitment to strategic non-alignment, but on the other she approves and supports the joint military naval exercises being conducted by the South African navy with those of Russia and China. How hypocritical can you become ?!

[Crashed]

Sorry Africa, but Ukraine is busy fighting for its exsistance to care about feeding Africa at the moment.
Africa can ask their friend Putin to stop the war, see if that helps.

[tarkovsky]

Europeans being confused as to why Africa has behaved in this matter will never make sense to me. In Congo alone millions were killed and the attitude from the Belgium’s was then to simply get over it. What do you expect to happen?

[johntracey]

If Africa is cozying up to Russia don't expect hand outs from the West. let Russia look after them in hard times.

[georgemiller]

It’s interesting how countries like South Africa, due to lingering bad feelings over European colonialism, support Russian colonialism.

[m.kiljunensuomifinland]

Russia is an imperialistic country. Do not think its any better than Spain was with inquisition in 1600's.

[zatoichison]

Africa was affected by Europeans for many centuries by slavery, wars, punished and not helped when needed, starving and left behind civilized countries, and today by this war.

[nigirimeshi]

Nobody is saying they can't judge Iraq the same way. But the matter of the fact is that African nations are supporting a colonization effort. Thats pretty hypocritical.

[samuelasante]

It's opportunity for Africans to invest into farming and stop depending on foreign countries.

[captainnemo]

It took one year for Europe to notice war is affecting others. This is the continent that had dragged the whole world into war, twice.

[mikelsibs]

Russia has always been our friend. We are liberated from colonialists because of Russia and Cuba. They are busy about Ukraine yet they don't condemn Israel aggression on Palestine. Food prices only went up because of sanctions

[tobybau]

Afrika quick money. But riding the wrong horse. They dont think on long run. Blaming Imperialism from past but now supporting Imperialism.

[Imovement]

Countries who assume they can have their cake and eat it too, are destined to go hungry.

[CK-joim]

This war has reminded me as an African how much the peoples of Libya, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen suffered and continue to suffer from the illegal invasions conducted by US and NATO countries illegally. Unfortunately, I had no opportunity to be asked this question when the atrocities and war crimes were being committed. Until today, war criminals who perpetuated these AGGRESSIVE wars have not been held to account at the Hague, instead, we hear that Putin must be held to account. This is how the impact of the Russian / Ukrainian has affected me as an African, a realization of the double standards of the institutions, regional blocks and leaders of the western countries. Please take this seriously.

[rhysholdaway]

I find that very disappointing from a country that was born out of the international condemnation of Apartheid.

[nomxhosapekani]

In February and March 2014, Russia invaded and subsequently annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine. During that time Berlin was seen kissing Putin all the time, now they want to make their ignorance an African problem.

[CHMichael]

I was surprised to hear about Zimbabwes success in recent years.
Proof that you can rebound from bad choices.
Africa as a continent should be able to produce and manufacture everything they need.
Education and peace are the key.
Loosing Ukraine might make them work together better.

[futureshocked]

My ideal scenario: Africa stays out of the war but takes China and Russia for all they're worth in terms of infrastructure investment. And also keep US bases out.