Most Africans oppose Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – poll

Respondents to a recent survey feel Russia’s is committing war crimes in Ukraine, contrary to International law

Most Africans believe that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is against the principles of international law.

This is according to a study conducted by research company Ipsos which showed that about 76% of those polled believe the invasion was unjustified.

The poll was conducted ahead of the African Peace Initiative visit to Kyiv and Moscow, the upcoming Russia/Africa meetings in St. Petersburg, and the BRICS Summit in South Africa in August.

Ipsos argues that of those interviewed, a majority felt that the Russian invasion of Ukraine was against the principles of international law, that Russian forces should withdraw from Ukraine, and that Russia was guilty of committing war crimes in Ukraine.

Some 83% of the respondents agree that African countries should stick together regarding foreign policy issues, with 76% arguing that the Ukrainians and the Russians are victims of this war.

The study was conducted among individuals 18 and older interested in news and politics in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda, and Zambia. The Interviews were conducted from 31 May to 16 June 2023.

In conducting the polling, several statements were read out to each respondent, and they then had to indicate whether they strongly disagreed, disagreed, neither disagreed nor agreed, agreed, or strongly agreed with each statement.

A minority agreed with the statements looking at the war from the Russian point of view – and in none of the six countries did a majority choose to agree with any of the three statements. However, across all three opinions, South Africans were split down the middle in virtually equal proportions.

Africans expressed strong feelings that their continent should stay nonaligned or neutral in this conflict, and Kenyans, especially, felt that Africa should not take sides in the war. However, a smaller proportion of Nigerians thought quite strongly that Africa could not afford to remain neutral in the war and should support Ukraine.

A large majority agreed that the war was not in Africa’s best interest, as it had detrimental effects on food supply and energy costs at home.

Large majorities also agreed that “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.” However, Africans are not immune to regretting the devastation of war and feel that Russians and Ukrainians are war victims.

Most Africans were neutral when asked whether their government should support Russia or Ukraine. Majorities maintained that the ideal outcome would be somewhere in the middle of the two extremes. 

It is important to observe that larger proportions of all seven countries thought support for Ukraine rather than for Russia was in the best interest of their countries.

Finally asked to make a personal choice, there was little ambiguity, and a majority in Kenya and South Africa supported Ukraine. Substantial proportions in the other countries followed suit.