By Neo Simutanyi
On Thursday 24 February 2022 Russia invaded Ukraine following its recognition of the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk. The invasion has received world-wide condemnation and mass protests, with western governments imposing smart sanctions and placing NATO military forces on a war footing. The action by Russia to invade a peaceful neighboring country is a violation of international law and the Minsk Agreement met to end the war in the Donbas region.
But asked by a legislator on Friday 25 February 2022, during question time, on Zambia’s foreign policy on the war between Russia and Ukraine, Vice President Mutale Nalumango said that Zambia has no position, it will adopt whichever position is taken collectively at the African Union or SADC. What a response coming from Zambia’s number two? Does it mean that President Hichilema has not convened a cabinet meeting to consider Zambia’s position regarding the conflict in Ukraine? The decision to evacuate Zambians living in Ukraine, while commendable should have been done alongside stating Zambia’s position on the conflict. There can be no neutral position on the issue. It is either we are on the side of Russia and believe that the invasion is meant to free the people of Donetsk and Luhansk from Ukrainian domination, or we are on the side of Ukraine’s right to sovereignty and independence.
Lack of condemnation of the invasion reflects badly on Zambian leadership’s political judgment on an issue of international importance, such as the invasion of a sovereign nation and member of the United Nations. It is a hugely moral issue on whether Zambia subscribes to acts of aggression by a powerful country, such as Russia, to achieve its territorial hegemony. I strongly believe that Zambian does not need to wait for a meeting of the African Union or SADC to have a position on whether the invasion of Ukraine was morally right or wrong. Many independent sovereign nations across the world have condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as it is a fragrant violation of international law and the Minsk Agreement. Zambia cannot continue sitting or the fence, waiting for a collective position from SADC or the African Union. By the time that meeting is convened, there will be no Ukraine as we know it, it would have been dismembered, with its leadership deposed, tens of thousands killed and millions displaced. Zambia should stand on then right side of history. Let us be clear, the Russia-Ukraine conflict has the potential to develop into a European war, if not a third world war. Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened that if there is any interference in his mission, whoever is involved will face severe consequences, meaning he is prepared to invade the Baltic states, which are members of NATO and provoke a NATO military response.
The author is Executive Director at the Centre for Policy Dialogue
People should shut up instead of writing things they don’t understand about the situation in Russia and Ukraine.
THE WORLD CONDEMNS RUSSIA
ITS ONLY THAT CHAP ZULU SUPPORTS AS HE THINKS UKRAINE IS IN AMERICA bSOMEWHERE
UKRAINE IS AN INDEPENDANT COUNTRY SO INVASION IS THE CORRECT DESCRIPTION
IT IS ASLO SPECTULATED PUTIN HAS A SCREW LOOSE
AND SOON WILL BE RETIRED BY THE GENERALS
When two elephants are fighting the grass may suffer, but the onlookers watching the fighters must wait until the dust settles for them to see who is who at endgame.
It pays to be nonaligned sometimes than take sides however affected we are one way or the other.
Generally, most observers think since Zambia is more Western focused, it is assumed she supports Ukraine.
A brainwashed f00I dependant immigrant, like the one that has commented above, will support anything that the west supports even when the same Ukrainians are documented being racist against Africans who are also trying to flee ukraine. We all watched in shock footage of Africans being forced to disembark from buses that were taking those fleeing into Poland. I would rather support my Russian brothers and sisters who are protecting their national interest and who have positive historical ties with most African nations. A f00l goes abroad and forgets his or her history like that goat tikki aka tarino
Neo Simutanyi, have you ever heard America condemning Israel or Saudi Arabia?
As a learned man you should know that in diplomacy you do not condemn friends and allies. You either keep quiet or ‘urge restraint’ and reiterate the right of your friend to defend himself.
Nalumango was right. Why should we take sides? When NATO invaded Libya noone was asked to condemn them.. When Russia does the same thing the West starts acting holier than thou. This is a European war Leave Africa out of it.
At Gadaffi above; your analysis is katondo street one. Piece meals, hearsays & kachasu conclusions. NATO did not invade Libya, if I may predict to convince you “watch next what will happen, the same will happen again, but this time on Putin-Russia”. Now u understand, so this is not invasion , it’s response to an agressor. In Libya it was Gaddaffi and now in Russia, it is Putin. When NATO & US forces completely defend Ukraine, they ll further start pushing into Russia to capture the head. Keep watching small man
Also don’t forget that NATO is a group of countries yet Russia is a group cities or towns within one country. It’s like comparing Mongu, Mazabuka , Kabwe and Mufulira against the African Union Military force. So that’s why I said your analysis is Katondo based.
Mongu Mazabuka and Mufulira have armies? Really? As for the African Union Military Force? Is there such a thing? As far as I know there is no such force. It right now passes as a volunteer dogs of war who come together very very rarely only to fight Somalian Jihadists. So perhaps Kabwe Mazabuka have a fighting chance when provoked by this invisible force.
These silly ignorant writers who do not understand anything…you think the geopolitical tensions started yesterday? Why didnt you ask Zambia to condemn the coup d’etat that forced the then President out and then MPs forced to pass policies at gunpoint with the blessing of US and EU then replaced with a Western puppet who is the current President. Zambian doesnt have a dog in this fight best it keeps its nose out of it….Zambia should be condemning the mistreatment of Africans who just want to get out of that country.
To put it in simple terms for the silly ignorant writers above, Ukraine was part of the USSR which later became Russia alot of the USSR countries , including Ukraine broke away in the early 90’s to be indepenant now Russia wants to reclaim Ukraine and soon other former states to go back to the old days of the Russian empire. So that is like the UK trying to restart the British Empire and attack and claim former colonies like Zambia and put them under colonial rule. would we stand for that no so we should support Ukraine . even in Russia the people are protesting. the west doesn’t need Ukraine it has no mineral or fuel resources for the west to take. bust Russia has threatened to use atom bombs and caused fuel prices to skyrocket which does affect us and if nuclear weapons are used the…
continued
radiation is spread all over the world including Africa and radiation gives you cancer.
I fully support the Veep and condemn all those humans in the world who turn a blind to the suffering of victims of fascism, hatred, racism, and other vices. We look forward to a speedy resolution to this matter so that the people of Ukraine can continue with their lives normally. The warring tribes must also sit down and talk instead of resorting to violent means.
Bravo to Ms Nalumango for staying out of the conflict. Simutanyi is behaving like a bushman trying to shake a baobab tree but only ends up shaking his bottocks.
Bravo to Ms Nalumango for staying out of the conflict. Simutanyi is behaving like a bushman trying to shake a baobab tree but only ends up shaking his bottocks. .
You want to support the west? The inventors of covid 19. Those who brought the world foolishly to a halt so they can promote their vaccines. Those who are hungry for money and power.
We already know the bootlicking AU will stand with the west.
We are, after all, their slaves!
@Step Aside why do you think your opinion is more important than others. All danderheads think they are the most intelligent. you speak nonsense and think you know a lot and expect people to understand that nonsense you have written? NATO invaded Libya. Libya which is in Africa is not part of their territory. if NATO focres enter Tripoli what do you call that? Go read Wikileaks a is free and you will then see the various documents that explain what led to the invasion of Libya. NATO and the US could see the economic power threat from Gaddafi’s grand plaN and they decided to eliminate him. It is part of the West’s plan to control the world
@ step aside: If anyone sounds Katondo like in this discussion it is you. NATO is a group of countries yes. But with what purpose? They are a group of capitalist countries threatened by the communist ideology. It’s an anti communist league led by the capitalist heavyweights, such as US and UK, with Russia as its main foe. Your allegory of Zambian towns vis a vis the AU is from a shallow understanding.
Russia is a federation of states extending from Europe into Asia and therefore one of the world’s largest countries. Forget its geographical size, It has the world’s largest number of nuclear warheads. That is one of the reasons NATO has ganged up because Britain, Germany Poland France on their own would be crushed by the Russian army. But as NATO they are a force. A war between…
. A war between Russia and NATO would be the Third World war even if China isn’t involved. And as at present you put your prophesy wrongly: NATO has not joined the war in Ukraine because their members haven’t been attacked.
As much as fear is normal God knows how far any human conflict can go. So, this too shall pass.
I am no fan of Veep Nalumango. But her positions convinces me even more about why the topmost office in the land needs a woman more than a man. Her judgment is more sound than the judgment of Simutanyi with his doctorate, HH and Kakubo put together. Sanctions against Russia will not promote dialogue but will only escalate conflict. Western countries can supply arms to Ukraine, but will not fight alongside it for fear of nuclear welfare with Putin’s Russia. Ukraine could have avoided war against its Russian neighbour by assuring Russia it was not going to be part of the expansion of NATO in Eastern Europe. Ukraine may be a sovereign independent nation but has everything to lose by going to war against a bullish and militarily stronger Russian neighbour.