Ukraine war: Bitter pill Africa must swallow

Ukrainian tanks move into the city, after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a military operation in eastern Ukraine, in Mariupol, February 24, 2022. [Reuters]

A white American professor was recently sacked for confusing the names of two black students. Even after penning a nine-page apology for what he called an innocent mistake, Christopher Trogan found himself out of his high-flying job at New York’s Fordham University. 

Prof Trogan’s case was widely reported. It became an instant stark reminder of how race relations have remained delicate across the world. This week, there were grumbles after Africans were ill-treated in Ukraine after it became clear their safety wasn’t guaranteed. Some were denied food, held at points of exit and blocked from boarding trains as their native European colleagues enjoyed the privileged treatment.   

The UN condemned discrimination. And in its usual crybaby style, the Africa Union sent out a press statement warning against “Africans being singled out in breach of international law." Meanwhile, there was palpable fear that more blacks would find themselves stuck at the lower end of the social pecking order in their bid to find safety in Kyiv and other towns.

Truth is, the discrimination against blacks wasn’t State-sanctioned. Neither Ukraine nor Russia premeditated it. It was chiefly an act of egocentrism by locals who seemed to have been on a “fight or flight” mode in their quest to survive the Moscow offensive.    

I am a proponent of an open-minded world. Having lived in Europe and the US, I know the power and otherwise of one’s skin colour. But I also appreciate the fact that racial hate isn’t an excuse to give up valid dreams. Barack Obama will agree.

But more and more, methinks the nasty experiences by blacks abroad should be a wake-up call on Africa and its leaders to do a better job at empowering the continent so that it isn’t defined more by its troubles than triumphs.

An important lesson for Africa is that if we invest in our systems, set up good hospitals, schools and universities, provide security, create jobs and became food secure, there are things we will find value doing locally than going to “squat” abroad. That’s not to say travelling and knowledge sharing across the globe is a bad thing. Not at all.

Improving the quality of life here can prevent deaths at sea when Africans attempt to sneak into Europe. Last year, 1,146 people died in six months while crossing the Mediterranean. Remember the Kenyan stowaways discovered on planes recently?

It is an open secret that most African nations are fraying at the edges due to misrule. Impunity by the political class is unsurpassed. From military seizures to rights abuses and plunder of resources. Few African young dreamers want to associate with their motherland.

According to the AU, 70,000 skilled professionals ditch Africa every year. Without working systems, Africans will continue suffering at the hands of richer continents seen to be the lands of milk and honey. It’s just the unpalatable truth.

The top-down rule by Africa’s strongmen club has failed, leaving in its wake social and economic ruin. Of the world’s 28 poorest countries, 27 are in sub-Saharan Africa. Instead of agonizing over Ukraine and its disdain for blacks, let’s remind our leaders that there’s no harm in doing the right thing.

-The writer is an editor at The Standard.

Twitter: @markoloo