African countries may return to the non-aligned movement again due to pressure on the issue of sanctions against Russia, which is exerted on them by Western countries. Robbie Gramer is a columnist for Foreign Policy.
“Overt pressure from Washington and the EU can be a shot in the leg, especially when it’s with us or against us,” Gramer says in a May 5 publication.
The author of the article emphasizes that the United States and Western countries are trying to isolate Russia from the world community, while attracting as many countries as possible to their policies. At the same time, Africa does not accept such a campaign.
The columnist reported that discussions have begun in African political circles about reviving the non-aligned movement. It was relevant during the Cold War. At that time, such a policy helped African countries not to be drawn into the confrontation of the parties.
Earlier, on May 3, the head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, announced the sixth package of sanctions from the European Union against Russia. The restrictions imply, in particular, the disconnection of new Russian banks from the SWIFT system. The EU countries have not yet been able to agree on this package due to the heavy dependence of a number of countries on Russian energy resources.
On the same day, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on retaliatory economic measures in connection with the unfriendly actions of some foreign states. The document prohibits making transactions and fulfilling obligations to foreign individuals and legal entities that have fallen under Russia’s retaliatory sanctions.
Also on May 3, Russian Ambassador to Angola Vladimir Tararov said that the authorities of this African country are ready to look for ways to circumvent sanctions in order to cooperate with Russia. He stressed that the Angolans are interested in economic cooperation with Moscow.
On March 24, Russian Senator Andrei Klimov said that EU sanctions against Russia would result in rising prices and hunger for the Commonwealth countries. According to him, Russia was one of the main food producers for parts of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
Western countries began to impose anti-Russian sanctions after the start of a special military operation to demilitarize and denazify Ukraine on February 24. A few days earlier, the situation in the region escalated significantly due to shelling by the Ukrainian military. The authorities of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics announced the evacuation of residents to the Russian Federation, and also turned to Moscow for help. On February 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree recognizing the independence of the DPR and LPR.
For more up-to-date videos and details about the situation in Donbass, watch the Izvestia TV channel.
