Remi Adekoya, an associate lecturer at England University of New York, has explained why most African countries have chosen to remain silent in the face of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Many of these African countries, he claims, are hesitant to risk their own security, foreign investment, and trade by supporting one side in this conflict.
Thousands of Nigerians, Ghanaians, and Kenyans have been evacuated from the warzone, but the response to the war has been much more muted.
Nigeria had only summoned Kirdoda Valerii, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Nigeria, and his Russian counterpart, Alexei Shebarshin, to discuss the need to evacuate Nigerians living in the country.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama met separately with the envoys in Abuja behind closed doors, telling the Russian diplomat that Nigeria as a country would not condone the violation of the territorial integrity of a United Nations member state with which Nigeria has diplomatic relations.
He also stated that he told Shebarshin that Nigeria wanted Russia to return to the status quo prior to the military action, with diplomacy and dialogue taking precedence.
Mr. Adekoya also told CNN that African countries are in a delicate situation and will not want to be drawn into proxy wars.
"In African diplomacy, there is a strong school of thought that says African states should adhere to the principle of non-interference and avoid becoming embroiled in proxy wars between the East and the West.
"For example, during the Cold War, some states were caught up in proxy wars," Adekoya said.
Last week, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa stated unequivocally that he will not make an enemy of Russian President Vladimir Putin, instead opting for dialogue between the two warring nations.
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