The U.S. Senate is reportedly deliberating on a bill that would help cope with the so-called “hostile acts of Russia in Africa” under the pretext of monitoring Russian military and economic activities in Africa.

This bill defines the cooperation between African countries and Russia as an act of infringing upon the goal and interests of the U.S. and places the responsibility on the African governments and officials who support Russia.

What does the U.S. seek through this Bill? The answer to this question can be understood clearly if we look at the remarks made by the Republican member of Foreign Relations Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives who initiated this bill.

He said that the U.S. Congress is working on drafting anti-Russia bills. He also asserted that the U.S. should ensure that all the countries choose either “free world” or “war criminal”.

This means that the African countries should be on the U.S. side, neither taking sides with Russia nor taking neutral stance.

Whether the African countries support Russia or strengthen cooperation with it, it totally belongs to the sovereignty of these countries. The U.S. does not have a right to say this or that about it.

If the countries do not stand on its side, the U.S. even brands their peaceful cooperation and programs as illegal, and insists on enforcing sanctions on and punishing them. It is indeed the height of insolence and shamelessness of the U.S.

Many African countries are now making earnest appeals to the international society as they are suffering from serious economic difficulties and food shortages due to climate change, global health crisis, etc. But the U.S. authorities take no account of such appeals. All that matters to them are just the goals and interests of the “American empire”.

For the sake of its own hegemonic interests, the U.S. turned the sovereign states like Afghanistan and Iraq into ruins without scruple. It is not much of a surprise that the U.S. has pulled out the stick of sanction towards Africa.

The U.S. may think that it can startle Africa if it threatens them, holding the stick of sanction. But they are mistaken.

Africa of the 21 st century is not what it used to be in the early years of the last century when it was forced into the destiny of colonial slavery.

If the U.S. goes against the trend of the present times at any cost, it will certainly arouse strong indignation and backlash from African countries.

Pak Yong Hyok

Secretary General of Korea-Africa Association