There Will Be African Victims of Russia’s War, Warn Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Olusegun Obasanjo
The former presidents of Liberia and Nigeria believe the UN is no longer fit for purpose.
by Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Former President of Liberia and Nobel Laureate and Olusegun Obasanjo, Former President, Republic of Nigeria; Chairman, The Brenthurst Foundation
20 June 2022
The continuation of the war in Ukraine is of great concern to Africa. It is time that Africans spoke out in our continent’s interests.
Even before the war, Africa faced a perfect storm. It suffered from isolation from global supply chains during covid-19, stalling the economic recovery that was beginning to take shape. A debt crisis looms, with 25 African countries in debt distress or at high risk of defaulting, with Zambia and Nigeria among the worst affected. This is all happening against the backdrop of a rapid demographic change. The continent’s population will double to 2.5bn over the next generation, and most of this new cohort will live in cities. Although the shift will bring advantages, it will also place greater pressure on food supplies and on infrastructure.