Russia’s war in Ukraine has not led to a global front backing the US position, contrary to Western countries’ expectations. African states are navigating this conflict based on their own interests and their UN votes illustrate that they choose their partners and issues strategically. This should be a wake-up call for the United States. American leaders cannot simply take for granted that partners in Africa — even democracies — will follow Washington’s lead or easily accede to pressure to do so. The war in Ukraine is exposing the limitations of U.S. diplomacy towards Africa, but also the short-sightedness of its broader engagement with the continent, a relationship dominated by foreign aid, to the detriment of foreign investment.

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