At times, I contemplate the extent of national pride among many African nations. This pride encompasses raising one’s shoulders, puffing out the chest, and holding one’s head high. It involves liberating the continent from a position of dependency within the global community through effective economic and agricultural strategies, access to essential services, quality education, job creation, and establishing institutions that uphold integrity and combat corruption impartially.

It evokes a disheartening sentiment, diminishes the spirit of nationalism, and reflects a deficiency in national pride when a nation like Ukraine, currently engaged in an active war with Russia since 2022, chooses to provide food assistance to African leaders.

Through the “Grain from Ukraine” initiative, Ukraine has supplied food aid to various African nations, including Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan, and Mauritania. The motivation behind Ukraine’s foreign policy regarding this food assistance to Africa is to increase its influence and counter Russia. This represents a strategic extension of the Russo-Ukrainian war into the African continent.

It is crucial to emphasise that the distribution of grain from Ukraine to African nations as food assistance is distinct from what is referred to as gastrodiplomacy. Gastrodiplomacy is the practice of utilising a nation’s culinary heritage to shape its image and strengthen diplomatic relationships.

It involves intentional actions, usually carried out by governments or related organisations, to showcase a country’s food culture to cultivate favourable perceptions and build connections with global audiences. Grain from Ukraine serves as food aid that carries significant strategic implications for African countries.

It is essential to highlight that during the recent military operations in Ukraine, commonly referred to as Russia’s invasion in 2022, many African nations expressed support for Russia due to the diminishing influence of Western nations in Africa, particularly in West Africa. Several African countries are opting for a neutral stance by refraining from comments or condemnation of Russia, reflecting China’s diplomatic approach regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and his foreign policy team recognised the necessity of fostering relationships with African nations. According to Reuters, Ukraine has established a new embassy in Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania—one of eight embassies opened in Africa following Russia’s invasion in 2022—overseeing food assistance for refugees from neighbouring Mali, as reported by embassy and aid personnel.

Ukraine observed that hunger represents one of the primary challenges facing the African continent. By transforming the initiative of grain distribution into a tool for enhancing its soft power in Africa, Ukraine aims to counteract Russia’s influence, which may attempt to extend the battle between Russia and Ukraine onto the African stage.

Additionally, Ukraine is offering to train soldiers from Mauritania, a proposition made by its top diplomat to Africa amid rising tensions between Mauritania and Mali, where Moscow supports government forces against Tuareg rebels.

African leaders should approach food assistance from Ukraine with caution due to the potential risks of African countries being drawn into serving as proxies in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

The current conflict in Sudan has shown evidence of external influences. Although there isn’t an overtly declared “proxy war” involving Russia and Ukraine on Sudanese soil, the conflict has become linked to the larger geopolitical competition between these two countries. Russia, through its Wagner mercenary group, has provided support to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan, whereas Ukraine has offered military aid to the Sudanese army, which is opposing the RSF.

African leaders must foster national pride by ensuring the continent no longer relies on others for support. This can be achieved through effective economic and agricultural policies, improved access to social services, infrastructural development, quality education, job creation, and establishing transparent institutions that combat corruption impartially.

These measures could help alleviate insecurity in Africa, enabling farmers to cultivate their land without the threat of violence or abduction. Consequently, this would significantly decrease poverty, as Susan E. Rice, a former American diplomat, supports by stating that poverty leads to insecurity.

Oseni, a former U.S. police officer, U.S. Army veteran who specialises in international security at Harvard University and American Military University, wrote via [email protected].