African heads of state are feeling reminded of the Cold War era these days, says Dr. Carlos Lopes, High Representative of the African Union and Professor at the University of Cape Town in this edition of “The Africa Roundtable”. At that time, the states were supposed to decide between the West and East blocs. But they have never benefited from this - one reason for the current political reluctance.

But they are not spared. The heavy dependency on grain from Ukraine and Russia and currently exorbitantly high fuel prices could lead to widespread uprisings and famines in some countries.

Dr Stefan Mair, Director of SWP (German Institute for International and Security Affairs) Berlin and Dr Carlos Lopes from the University of Cape Town on the political, social and societal consequences of the Russian attack on Ukraine for the states of Africa.