**Ukraine’s Africa Strategy: A New Front in the War with Russia**
The dry western tip of Africa has become an unlikely battleground in Ukraine’s global struggle against Russia. Kyiv has opened a new embassy in Mauritania, one of eight it has established on the continent since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The embassy is overseeing food aid deliveries to refugees from neighboring Mali and offering military training to Mauritanian soldiers.
**Food Aid and Military Training**
Kyiv’s efforts in Africa are part of its broader strategy to counter Russia’s influence on the continent. According to Ukrainian officials, the country has sent nearly 300,000 tonnes of food aid through the World Food Programme (WFP) under a EU- and US-financed scheme called Grain from Ukraine. This aid has reached 8 million people in 12 countries, including Congo, Ethiopia, Somalia, Nigeria, Kenya, and Sudan.
In Mauritania, the aid has been mostly destined for Mbera, West Africa’s largest refugee camp, housing soaring numbers of Malians fleeing Russia-backed forces across the border. Ukraine is also offering to train Mauritanian soldiers, which, according to officials, will share technologies and achievements made against Russia on the battlefield.
**Countering Russian Influence**
Russia has a significant presence in Africa, with 40 missions on the continent and plans to open seven more. Moscow’s soldiers and mercenaries guard presidents in several West and Central African countries, while Russian mining companies are entrenched in the Sahel region that includes Mali. Ukraine is trying to persuade African nations that its fight against Russia has parallels with their own efforts to overcome European colonialism.
“Ukraine wants to show Africa that we’re not just fighting for our freedom but also theirs,” said Maksym Subkh, Ukraine’s top envoy to Africa. “By countering Russian influence and offering military training, we hope to gain allies in the continent.”
**African Neutrality**
Many African countries have maintained neutrality over the war between Ukraine and Russia. However, with Ukraine producing its first Africa strategy, a public document, and opening eight out of 10 new embassies announced in 2022, Kyiv is hoping to change this narrative. The stated goals are to counter Russia’s narrative and increase trade and investment on the continent.
**A New Front in the War**
Ukraine’s efforts in Africa may be seen as a new front in its war with Russia. By showing it can provide alternative food supplies to African nations, Ukraine hopes to pressure Moscow to end the war in Ukraine. “Maintaining its role as one of the guarantors of the world’s food security, Ukraine can prevent Russia from using food supplies as political leverage,” said Roman Sereda, Ukraine’s chargé d’affaires in Nouakchott.
As tensions between Mauritania and Mali escalate, Kyiv sees an opportunity to strengthen ties with Mauritania. However, with Russia’s entrenched presence on the continent, it remains to be seen how effective Ukraine’s Africa strategy will be.
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