Africa: PeacePro seeks probe of Russian allegations of U.S. biological activities

The Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro), an African peacebuilding organization, has called on the African Union (AU) to urgently investigate claims by Russia accusing the United States of conducting covert biological research on the African continent.

The allegations, made by Alexey Shevtsov, Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council, accuse the U.S. of operating biological programmes in several African nations, including Ghana, Djibouti, Kenya, and Nigeria.

Russia claimed these programmes involved pathogen isolation, sequencing, and research that could potentially lead to the development of ethnic-specific biological weapons.

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In a statement released on Wednesday by Executive Director of PeacePro, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, the group expressed deep concerns over the geopolitical implications of these accusations and their potential impact on African sovereignty and security.

“The African Union must rise to the occasion by commissioning an independent investigation to verify these claims. The peace and well-being of over a billion Africans cannot be left at the mercy of unverified geopolitical assertions,” the statement read.

PeacePro emphasized the need for Africa to assert its independence in global matters, stating that the continent could not afford to be a battleground for superpower rivalries.

The allegations outlined by Russia include:

●The establishment of a U.S. military medical center in Kenya to monitor infectious diseases in Central Africa.

●Joint medical research programs in Nigeria, reportedly involving 10 specialists from the U.S. Department of Defense.

●Pathogen research initiatives in Ghana and Djibouti.

While the U.S. has yet to respond to these allegations, PeacePro noted that the accusations demanded urgent clarifications, given their potential ramifications for public health and regional stability.

Hamzat underscored the importance of Africa taking a proactive stance.

“We cannot allow Africa to be used as a laboratory for experiments or as a theater for geopolitical confrontations,” the organization said.

It urged African leaders to prioritize the security of the continent by demanding accountability from both the U.S. and Russia.

To ensure impartiality and trust, PeacePro has called for the AU to collaborate with international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), independent scientific bodies, and African research institutions to investigate the matter.

As global tensions between major powers escalate, the continent finds itself in the crosshairs of competing interests. PeacePro’s appeal to the AU underscores the importance of ensuring that Africa remains a zone of peace, free from exploitation or undue influence.

The international community will undoubtedly watch closely as the African Union considers its response to these allegations, which, if left unchecked, could have profound implications for global security and trust in international health systems.