As of 2023, the US and European Union (EU) had given Ukraine war aid worth more than $130B.
The US alone had allegedly given Ukraine close to $77B, being the single highest donor to Ukraine.
This figure by the US alone is more than the GDP of 45 African countries, which represents more than 85% of the continent, but less than 0.4% of the US GDP.
Break down of the US aid to Ukraine us as follows:
1. $3.9B (5%) Humanitarian
2. $26.4B (34%) Financial
3. $46.6B (61%) Military
In addition to $77B aid by the US, EU also gave Ukraine $53B, taking the total sum received by Ukraine to $130B.
Only 5 African countries have a GDP more than $130B, namely Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Algeria and Morocco.
Apart from the aid received by Ukraine from EU and the US, more than 20 other countries provided aid to Ukraine.
Although, some African countries also provided aid to Ukraine, such as Morocco, but it amounts to insignificance.
Generally speaking, Africa has consistently maintained its neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine war.
But how far is the continent benefiting from its neutrality or better still, how much can it benefits in the long run, with a multi polar world fast approaching?
Ukraine’s president, get attention of different parts of the world including the United Nations, while addressing their regional bodies to rally support for his country, but that’s not the story in Africa.
When Zelensky was given opportunity to address the African Union, only 4 heads of state were present, the rest sent emissaries, indicating the none interest in the Ukraine war.
Despite the US’ effort to assert its influence on many countries in Africa, the best it got is get them to abstain from voting against Ukraine.
However, most African nations doesn’t seems to be neutral in the real sense of it, they wanted to support Russia, which they believe have a better case on the matter and better relationship with them, but they were too afraid to make that open stand.
Even South Africa, which is a co-member of BRIC with Russia had to demonstrate their support for Russia in another way.
But here is the main question, can this claim to neutrality benefits Africa in a changing world, where the new world order is fast emerging?
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