SWITZERLAND has announced that it will host over 160 delegations from around the globe to participate in a Ukraine peace conference on June 15 and 16.

The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, said in a statement that the invitees, except Russia, include members of the G7, G20, BRICS, EU, various international organizations, and two religious’ representatives.

While this could be the fifth public attempt to secure a peaceful deal between Russia and Ukraine, African countries have also attempted but all didn’t work out.

The delegation from South Africa, Egypt, Senegal, Congo-Brazzaville, Comoros, Zambia, and Uganda led by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa embarked on “peace mission” to meet leaders of Ukraine and Russia in what was described as "the first time African leaders embarked on a peace mission beyond" the continent.

Ramaphosa’s delegate put forward a 10-point proposal, including a recognition of Russia and Ukraine's sovereignty and continued unhindered grain exports.

It also called for a de-escalation of fighting and for negotiations to commence with urgency, for the release of prisoners of war and for greater humanitarian support, among other requests.

Swiss public radio, RTS, announced last week that at least 50 countries had confirmed their attendance.

The delegates so far, include the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, Germany’s Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, the head of the Italian government, Giorgia Meloni, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron.

South Africa is most likely to attend the conference having taken part in the previous missions. The first being the Copenhagen meeting held in June 2023 and aimed at building wide international support for a peace process based on the Ukrainian 10-point proposal.

The second meeting was held during 5–6 August 2023 in Jeddah, including representatives from about 40 countries, some others being China, India, EU member states, India, Brazil, South Africa, Indonesia, Mexico, Zambia, Egypt and the United States (US).

A third meeting was organised on the weekend of 28–29 October, 2023 in Malta among national security advisors from 65 states from Europe, South America, the Arab world, Africa and Asia.

The most recent one being that which was held in mid-January 2024 in Davos prior to the World Economic Forum.

The meeting had representatives from 83 countries and international organisations participating, including 18 from Asia, without China, and 12 from Africa.

Co-chair of the meeting, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, stated that the meeting had "clarified points up for discussion", that neither Ukraine nor Russia accepted territorial concessions, and that a high-level meeting had not been scheduled. Only for the Swiss president Viola Amherd stating Switzerland was planning to organise a "possible peace conference."

Yes Africa, has and is the victim of this conflict. The conflict has led to a shortage of grain and fertilizer in many African countries, which import commodities from Ukraine and Russia respectively. This has led to a spike in food prices around the world, especially in Africa.

In Tanzania, for instance, fuel price has continued to clinch at a top notch with the current pump price recording Sh3,314.00 per liter or USD 1.28 per liter, the price being slightly higher than the average price of gasoline in the world at USD 1.26 per liter.

The question is why are African countries not concerned with the peace conference even though they are affected by the global conflict around Ukraine territory?

There are several arguments that can be made for why African countries might consider not participating in a Ukraine peace conference. These points reflect both geopolitical considerations and practical concerns:

Firstly, Many African countries may have limited direct economic or political stakes in the Ukraine conflict compared to other regions. Their primary international focus might be on issues more immediately affecting their own continents, such as regional security, economic development, or public health.

For that, Ukraine recently made attempts to open diplomatic offices in several African countries. Observers have been quick to raise concern, some stating that the plan which includes donation and a push for increased Ukrainian special forces in African countries only seek to counter China and Russia’s prospects in the continent and drum up support for its war effort.

Last June, Ukraine inaugurated a string of new embassies in Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique and Botswana. It had planned others in Ghana and Rwanda.

Analyst Alain Koné, an expert at the International Centre for Political Studies, says “this is a tournament Ukraine wants to enter,” and the chosen countries are not “a random selection”; Ivory Coast has always supported Ukraine in resolutions at the United Nations.

Moreover, during the Russia-Africa summit, the Ivorian president, Alassane Ouattara, was absent, so it is not surprising that Ukraine is deploying efforts to improve its image.

Another consideration is resource allocation. Attending and participating in international conferences requires significant diplomatic resources and time.

For many African nations, these resources might be better spent addressing critical issues within their own borders or regions where they can make a more immediate and tangible impact. This practical approach underscores the need to prioritize domestic over international concerns.

Historically, many African countries have pursued policies of non-alignment, avoiding taking sides in conflicts between major powers.

This stance of neutrality is often rooted in a desire to maintain balanced relationships with multiple global powers. Participating in a peace conference focused on the Ukraine conflict could be perceived as taking a stance, potentially jeopardizing these carefully balanced relationships. By not participating, African countries can preserve their diplomatic flexibility and avoid entanglement in the geopolitical tensions between Western countries and Russia.

Focusing on domestic issues is another compelling reason. Many African nations face significant challenges such as poverty, healthcare, education, and infrastructure development.

Engaging in distant geopolitical conflicts could divert attention and resources from these critical domestic issues. By prioritizing internal development, these nations aim to improve the living standards and stability within their own borders.

Diplomatic leverage is also a crucial factor. By not aligning too closely with either side in the Ukraine conflict, African countries might maintain better relations with all major global powers.

This diplomatic balance can be beneficial for securing economic and political support from diverse international partners. It allows African countries to navigate complex global dynamics without being seen as partisan.

Additionally, African nations might prioritize mediation and peacebuilding efforts within their own continent, where their involvement is more directly relevant and impactful.

Many regions in Africa experience ongoing conflicts and instability, and African nations often play crucial roles in mediation efforts. Engaging in external conflicts could dilute their capacity to address these regional issues effectively.

The risk of escalation is another significant concern. Engaging in the Ukraine conflict, even in a peace conference, could inadvertently draw African countries into a complex and potentially escalating geopolitical situation.

This could expose them to unintended economic or political repercussions, which might outweigh any potential benefits of participation.

The historical context of colonialism and foreign intervention also plays a role. Many African countries remain wary of involving themselves in conflicts where major powers are the primary actors.

They might prefer to avoid entanglement in conflicts that could revive memories of past exploitation or interference. This historical perspective encourages a cautious approach to international engagements.

The Ukraine peace conference slated for June 15 and 16 could therefore aim to advance Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's peace formula along with other proposals rooted in the UN Charter and fundamental principles of international law.