Ukraine told to trade colonial echoes for future-focused dialogue in Africa

Ukraine’s outreach to African nations should center on forward-looking partnerships and shared development goals, rather than drawing parallels rooted in colonial history, according to Dzvinka Kachur, the Ukrainian World Congress representative in Africa.

Speaking at a briefing hosted by Media Center Ukraine, Kachur argued that references to imperialism and colonialism do not always resonate as intended across the African continent.

“From a communications standpoint, the colonial narrative is more complex than we often assume when addressing African audiences,” she said. “I speak from experience when I say that calling this war imperialist or colonial doesn’t automatically translate. We tend to believe that South Africans, or the broader African public, have a well-defined understanding of Ukraine and russia. But in reality, both perceptions are quite vague.”

Kachur noted that russia had little visible presence in Africa from 1991 until 2014. “It was only after sanctions were imposed in 2014 that russia began actively pursuing ties and building networks on the continent,” she explained.

She highlighted the demographics of Africa, where a substantial portion of the population is under the age of 18 and has no direct memory of the Soviet Union.

“When we consider that most of Africa’s population is under 18, it becomes clear they have no lived experience of the Soviet era and therefore no ingrained view of russia,” Kachur noted. “russia is not nearly as visible or familiar here as it might appear from a Ukrainian perspective. It’s a misconception to think that every African knows where russia is or what a russian looks like.”

Instead of relying on historical references, Kachur urged a shift in focus toward Ukraine’s strengths and potential as a partner in innovation and growth.

“I believe it would be more effective to craft narratives about the future, what young Africans stand to gain from working with Ukraine,” she said. “Ukraine is a high-tech nation, a country shaping tomorrow. We represent innovation, advancement, opportunity, and technological breakthroughs. These are the stories we should be telling, narratives that speak directly to young people, rather than invoking a colonial past that many no longer remember.”

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news