Given Africa’s Position in the International System, Can it Leverage Peace Between Russia and Ukraine?

Abstract

Considering the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on the international system that Africa is part and parcel of, it has expressed its readiness to become a mediator in the search for peace in Eastern Europe. Achieving this ambitious initiative, especially outside Africa, cannot be aloof from the position it occupies in the international system. Against the backdrop, this article employed a qualitative method with a main emphasis on content analysis to interrogate Africa’s position in the international system. From the conceptualization of the international system, this paper established the following findings. First, Africa is not among the key state actors that through their soft power diplomacy and hard power diplomacy set, control, and direct the agenda of the international system. As such, it holds an underdog position and is still on the periphery of the international system. Second, the position taken by most African countries at the UN about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could compromise the neutrality and credibility of Africa to possibly mediate the conflict. Third, despite denial, the war is a US-NATO proxy war in which the search for peace lies in the hands of the US and NATO. Looking at their vested interests for standing behind Ukraine could make it difficult for Africa to break through the paradigm of mediation. Based on these findings, the paper remains skeptical of mediation. Finally, the paper concludes that achieving peace will be a big blow to NATO, the West, and other big powers for Africa positioned at the periphery of the international system to cajole big powers to get to solutions that would benefit all. Therefore, the possibility for the West and big powers to undermine Africa’s efforts cannot be ruled out.