Majority of Kenyans feel Africans should not take part in Russia Ukraine

A report shows that 66 per cent of Kenyans have agreed that all African countries should not take sides in the Russia- Ukraine war.

In research conducted through telephone interviews by IPSOS in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda, and Zambia, Africans expressed their feeling that their continent should not be aligned or neutral in the conflict.

At least 1,000 respondents in each country expressed their attitude towards Russia, and Ukraine, and the position on the war taken by some African governments.

However, a smaller number of Nigerians thought that Africa could not afford to remain neutral in the war and should support Ukraine.

The majority of Africans agreed that the war was not in Africa's best interest, as it had devastating effects on food supply and energy costs at home.

Respondents reverted to "Having lived through colonialism, conflict, and forced occupations, we should not support any country in their attempts to illegally annex parts of another country without consequences".

When asked whether their own government should support either one of the warring nations to end the conflict.

76 per cent of Kenyans agreed that both the Ukrainians and Russians are victims of the war and a similar percentage argues that Russia's invasion of Ukraine is against the principle of international law.

However, 83 per cent of Kenyans agree that African countries should stick together when it comes to foreign policy issues.

The research was done from May 31 to June 16, 2023, ahead of the African Peace Initiative to Kyiv and Moscow and BRICS Summit in South Africa in August.