The Executive Secretary Ambassador, Zainab Ali Kotoko, of the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services in Africa (CISSA) has lambasted warring parties in Ukraine saying those who started the war are now trying to manipulate Africans to take their side.
Addressing journalists jointly with Director General of Intelligence and Security Brigadier (Ret) Peter Magosi in Gaborone on Wednesday, Kotoko said Africa did not play any role in the conflict and subsequent war in Ukraine.
“In diplomacy we do not have permanent friends, we have permanent interests. What is happening in Ukraine is not Africa’s problem. We did not create the situation in Ukraine. It was created by the same people that are now pushing some of our member states to take sides, and in some cases some of our member states are being blackmailed because they have refused to take sides. We should not be railroaded into taking sides in the conflict that we did not start, in the conflict that we are also feeling the repercussions on our economies, we should not be allowed to be blackmailed,” she said.
Kokoto was responding to a question on recent reports that South Africa will be joining China and Russia in military exercises in the near future, something which has triggered a scramble for Africa between Russia and the West.
The press conference was called ahead of the CISSA 18th Ordinary Session which commenced in Gaborone on Thursday and ended today (Friday).
President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi officially opened the conference which also saw the handing over of the chairmanship to Botswana for the next 12 months.
An estimated 300 delegates participate in the conference which discussed, among others, food security outlook of the continent, especially at a time of conflict.
CISSA is an umbrella body for African intelligence organizations.
