Don’t blame Russia for economic hardships in Africa

William Gumede, in his column “Putin’s war holds a basket of miseries for Africa” (April 3), seems reluctant to call things what they are. He describes vividly what he thinks African countries should expect in connection with Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine, but fails to name the true reasons for that.

However, we are not afraid to put things straight. First of all, it is not Russia’s actions that bring economic hardships to developing countries in Africa. These problems result from sanctions imposed by the collective West on Russia, and the former acknowledges it. For instance, US treasury secretary Janet Yellen, during a hearing before the house financial services committee, stressed that sanctions placed on Russia are driving up the price of energy, “but it’s a price important to pay”. Important for whom, we wonder?

Experts estimate food-price rises as originating from soaring energy costs and fertiliser shortages are caused predominantly by anti-Russia sanctions.

Disruption of trade and supply chains are envisaged by the fifth package of EU sanctions against Russia, including prohibition to provide access to seaports, a ban on road transport, export and import restrictions et cetera.

Global inflation is another problem attributable to the US. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the US Federal Reserve as well as European central banks printed huge amounts of money in order to support their economies. As the US released trillions of worthless dollars into circulation without increasing production, inflation rates went naturally upwards, both in the US and abroad — in simple words, [it is] Russia and SA, as well as the poorest African nations Gumede is so worried about, who are actually paying for the unparalleled financial support of the US economy.

Alexander Arefiev, press attaché, second secretary, Embassy of Russia in SA