Zelensky barred from speaking at African Union Summit as Angola assumes Presidency

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Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been informed that he will not be attending the upcoming African Union (AU) summit in person. Instead, he has been invited to deliver a video address to the heads of state, according to a letter dated February 5.

AfricaHeadline Reports Team
editorial@africaheadline.com 

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Zelensky has sought to strengthen diplomatic ties with Africa, pushing for direct engagement with the continent’s leaders.

However, his efforts to secure a platform at the AU’s annual summit have met resistance from several member states.

Among the countries opposing Zelensky’s participation is Angola, which is set to assume the AU’s rotating presidency. Angola has maintained long-standing ties with Russia, dating back to its independence struggle in the 1970s, when the Soviet Union provided military and financial support to the Angolan government during the country’s civil war.

Ukraine has ramped up diplomatic efforts in Africa, opening seven new embassies over the past two years in countries including Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Rwanda. However, many African nations have opted for a neutral stance, wary of jeopardizing strategic relations with Russia, a key arms supplier and trade partner for the continent.

As geopolitical tensions mount, Zelensky’s exclusion from the summit underscores Africa’s delicate balancing act between global powers. His virtual address is expected to highlight Ukraine’s commitment to forging stronger ties with the continent, but whether it will shift Africa’s strategic alignment remains uncertain.