Paper short abstract:

There exist today a clear conflict of opinions on the concept of sovereignty amongst many pan-Africanists when it comes to the ongoing war in Ukraine, where there is a split solidarity amongst pan-Africanists towards Russia on one hand and Europe-Ukraine on the other hand.

Paper long abstract:

While an overwhelming majority of young Africans and pan-Africanists agree that every sovereign country has the right to defend itself when faced with aggression, there is however a clear conflict of opinions on this concept of sovereignty, amongst the same pan Africanists when it comes to the ongoing war in Ukraine, where there is a split solidarity amongst pan-Africanists towards Russia on one hand and Europe-Ukraine on the other hand.

Whereas, the solidarity towards Ukraine is purely founded on the premise of sovereignty and democracy, thus easier to understand, that towards Russia is neither based on any moral or sovereign norm, but rather can be identified as a form of solidarity borne of resentment towards the West, in response to what is perceived as Western double standards, especially in the handling of conflicts around the world, and Africa in particular. Also this resentment stems from the long held belief that the West and Europe in particular is responsible for the poverty and underdevelopment of Africa (Bauer, 1969), though some disputed statistical analysis suggest that the causal effect of colonization on income per capita and growth rate in the colonized countries was negligible (Kaniyathu, 2008).

On one hand, having witnessed a swift and a coordinated response to protect Ukraine following the Russian invasion, a response only similar to that seen during the 2nd world war, and a huge humanitarian effort, with European and American borders flung open, refugees welcome with open arms, questions are being asked by many sceptics.