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By Henry Umahi
Renowned neuroscientist and former principal investigator of the study of the brain in the space programme of the United States National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA), Prof. Philip Njemanze, has proposed what he called the “African Peace Plan” to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict. According to him, the peace plan is needed because “the African conflict resolution (method) is different because it does not apportion blame but seeks peace.”
He said: “First, African Union (AU) should declare non-alignment in the emerging bipolar post-Cold War world with NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) on one hand and the alliance of Russia-China-India, who are in the majority of the world, on the other hand. The non-alignment of the AU allows it a strategic role as the world’s peacemaker, who can de-escalate the current conflict. The age-old African tradition of conflict resolution by impartial intercessory negotiations could best serve the interest of world peace at this time. The major goal should be de-escalation, because there is a real risk of a nuclear conflict between opposing nuclear powers. Although much has been said about Russia versus Ukraine, in practical terms, it is a conflict between Russia and NATO’s expansion eastwards.”
On how African leaders can de-escalate the conflict, Njemanze said: “The focus should be on saving lives of both Ukrainians and ethnic Russians who live in the break-away republics called Donbas. The AU peace plan should, among other issues, include: Immediate cessation of conflict in civilian areas, allowing creation of UN humanitarian tents and corridors so that people who stay in these tents and pass through these corridors to neighbouring countries are safe; adoption of all UN rules of war engagement, including respect of the rights of prisoners of war, non-implementation of weapons of mass destruction, including massive bombs, cluster bombs, chemical or bacteriological attack, avoidance of zones of location of nuclear power plants from any bombing campaign, and non-first use of nuclear or atomic weapons.”
When this African peace plan is ready, how would it be implemented? Njemanze answered: “The AU Peace Plan will offer the world hope at this time when drums of conflict are beating from all the capitals in the East and West. Peace emissaries would be dispatched to the Russian, European and American capitals. President Muhammadu Buhari could be mandated to meet with President Putin to discuss the African Peace Plan. President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa could be dispatched to U.S. to meet with President Biden and the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. President Abdel Fattah Saeed Hussein Khalil el-Sisi of Egypt could be dispatched for talks with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Other African leaders at the AU headquarters could hold a virtual meeting with the Ukrainian leader. The African Peace Plan could be raised at the UN Security Council for adoption.”
But how could the African Peace Plan end the conflict? Take this from Njemanze: “There is a second phase and third phase of the African Peace Plan. The second phase would involve: cessation of armed conflict in cities and civilian areas, with demilitarization of those civilian areas; ban of third party military intervention; free shipment of humanitarian aid; restoration of water, electricity and sanitation in cities in Ukraine and Donbas; return of refugees and removal of all sanctions against Russia after signing of the peace treaty.”
Njemanze, who studied medicine in Russia and did postgraduate programmes in Germany, England and the U.S., further said: “The third phase of the African Peace Plan aims at a peace treaty. The aim is to achieve a peace treaty between Russia and Ukraine. The African Peace Plan would seek to provide the security guarantees for Russia at the same time as asserting the independence of Ukraine. This can be achieved with vital roles played by the UN and NATO. This would eventually lead to withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine and restoration of peace.”
Would this intervention by African leaders be welcome in Europe and America? Njemanze said: “Well, among the warring parties there must be peacemakers in the world. The African leaders must step up now to stop this conflict before it escalates into nuclear exchanges. There is a high risk of a Third World War that would include the use of nuclear weapons. This will obliterate human civilization, including in Africa. It is an urgent matter of great national security interest.”
