Paper short abstract:

The presentation discusses the position and agency of the AU in the war in Ukraine. It reveals the motivations of the AU and its member states to take a restrained position in the conflict and evaluates geopolitical, security, and economic consequences of the war in Ukraine in Africa.

Paper long abstract:

The current war in Ukraine has regional and wider global consequences, affecting the African continent as well. African Union (AU), as a leading regional organization on the continent, was expected by the USA and European Union (EU) to take a clear stance in support of Ukraine. However, to the surprise of the West, the AU's response to the war in Ukraine has been lukewarm. It has been influenced primarily by the need to balance the approach of both the AU and its member states towards Russia and the West and the effort to maintain a non-aligned position in the conflict in Europe.

The proposed contribution focuses on the position and agency of the AU in the current war in Ukraine. It will reveal the motivations of the AU as a geopolitical actor and crucial member states’ postures on both sides of the conflict, considering historical, geopolitical, and economic factors. Besides that, it will present and evaluate also the geopolitical, security, and economic consequences of the war in Ukraine in Africa. Last, but not least, the presentation will discuss the possible effect of the restrained position of the AU as a regional organization and its crucial member states in supporting Ukraine on relations with the EU in particular.

The presentation is based on the content and discourse analysis of selected media, statements of African leaders and representatives of the AU, and official AU documents.