When the United Nations voted on a resolution to condemn Russia’s war on Ukraine, almost half of the countries who abstained were from Africa

As unprecedented level of support continues to pour in from Governments across the world in support of Ukraine, with 141 countries voting in favour of a UN resolution condemning the invasion and calling for the immediate withdrawal of its forces.

Russia has enjoyed some backing from the usual allies and has indirectly garnered favour from 35 countries who chose abstain from the United Nations Vote on sanctioning the Russian Federation.

Of the 35 nations who abstained, almost half came from Africa. Eritrea was one of only five countries in the world which voted against Russian sanctions.

Half of the 54 African countries voted in favour of the resolution but why did so many African countries decided to abstain?

South Africa shocked the international community when it chose to abstain. The head of diplomacy in South Africa in a response tweet to the EU ambassador said: “lets not forget the people of Palestine, Syria, Yemen, Libya and Somalia”

Zimbabwe unlike South Africa, is concerned that the UN resolution will not promote dialogue, but rather would escalate the conflict. In a statement the Government of Zimbabwe said:  it cannot support sanctions against Russia.

The two countries have long standing bilateral and ideological ties going back to the war of independence Zimbabwe fought against the British empire.

Tanzania voted neither for Ukraine or against Russia, this has not come as surprise, Tanzania since its independence has always maintained a non alignment policy when it comes to voting at the UN General Assembly on conflict resolutions. They chose to remain Neutral.

The West African Nation of Mail, which is the eighth-largest country in Africa, chose to abstain for three reasons:

First, Mali and Russia share a close partnership (ally). This was strengthen recently after the withdrawal of French troops from the country. Russia offered to increase its military cooperation with Mali.

Secondly, Mali is currently facing its own political challenges following the coup which saw the suspension of the country from the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS). They must be focused on resolving their own internal issues. They have requested that the international community refrain from interfering in their own affairs by abstaining from the UN resolution vote.

Uganda obtained from the vote, sighting neutrality but the president of Uganda later met with the Russian Ambassador stationed in Uganda.

Eretria was one of five UN member states and the only African country to vote in favour of Russia at the UN.