Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine is but the beginning of the end of US’s global hegemony. The writing is on the wall for the EU, US and the West and for every eye to see. Soon after WWII, the US and the then USSR evolved as the sole powers of the world as the British and Germans lost it. This marked the beginning of the Cold War that ended in 1991 when the US outfoxed the then USSR that gave in, and temporarily evaporated from the world political map. Thus, the period from 1991 to February 2022 will go down memory lane as a unipolar stint that saw the US unimpeded enjoy and dominate the world in everything.

Unexpectedly, on 24^th February, 2022, the catnapped colossus, Russia, rose up and upset the world’s geopolitics and superstructure. Before Russia invaded Ukraine, the world witnessed the hustle and bustle in Kiev where many Western leaders helplessly converged to assure Ukraine that it was safe since the West led by NATO, would back it in repelling Russian threats. On its part, Ukraine became confident that the big boys would chip in if bully Russia made a move.

As if in dream, the bully struck decisively. All of the sudden, the cracks in these geopolitics and fake relationship surfaced. The West is not helping a desperate Ukraine. Ukraine, like a mouse before the moggy, thought about surrendering but Russia ignored it and forced it to fight tooth and nail solo.

Nobody showed up when Vladimir Putin made a move against Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This can strategically be seen how the West hypocritically clambered their armies and equipment to guard NATO members but not the besieged feeble Ukraine.

The West imposed sanctions against Russia and announced all sorts of measures topped up with millions of dollars, grants and aids at the time Ukraine needed boots on the ground to no avail. Many analysts wonder how sanctions will deter or stop an advancing interloper seeking to revenge for its fleeting death. What can sanctions do for people who are trading punches? Sanctions have not made Russia to leave helpless Ukraine.

The West has abandoned Ukraine at the hour of need. Why? NATO’s General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg describes the conflict as a new normal. A frustrated Zelenskyy has woken up to the reality that Ukrainians “have been left alone’’ to defend their state. Biden has just been issuing threats as Ukraine burns. This proves that the US has given up on its hegemony.

This loss started when the US voted in Donald Trump who paved way for the destruction of US’s unchecked hegemony. He openly leaned to Putin and exposed US’s virility.

After learning from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya, the US isn’t ready to repeat the same gaffe; and Putin knows this too well. He’s been scheming and studying it and has now made good out of it. This tells us that nothing human is permanent. Who knew that the US would easily and quickly swallow its pride?

When the odds seem to favour Putin and defy the US, China, another superpower, is carefully calculating the next move in this war of domination. There’s nothing new shall China take over the helm. Egypt, Greece, Roman Empire, and Mesopotamia gave in. Of the trio, namely China, Russia and the US, China stood to gain big. Firstly, it isn’t involved directly in this obviously pricy and self-destructive war. Secondly, it’s now waiting to claim its prize, the leading place in global geopolitics. You can take this to the bank. The winner among the trio is China. Russia’s another champ. It better makes do with a silent China rather than with the raucous US, which seems to have chickened out in this game of flexing muscles.

China has maintained non-involvement and silence at a time when the entire world is hollering. The silent lion’s the one that eats meat. So, too, Russia is revenging against the US that destroyed its hegemony. India’s and other BRICS’ members’ silence towards this war speak volumes.

In sum, for the US and the West, it’s game over for their hegemony and machinations. As for Africa, when two hawks start a brawl, the fowls must seek a shelter. I heard Kenya’s envoy to the UN, Martin Kimani, making hullabaloos against Russia. Nobody listens to you guys. Instead of being used, strategize about how to use this crisis. If the tables were turned on Africa, you will not hear any ruckus from either the EU, Russia or Ukraine.  

It’s the right time for Africa to think about disbanding its colonial borders and unite as the strategy of asserting and claiming its place and power amidst the world community. Bad news however, this time offers opportunity for dictators to thrive since there’s no bully to bug them with the noises about/of democracy, good governance, and human rights.

By Nkwazi Mhango

The author is a lifetime member of the Writers' Alliance of Newfoundland and Labrador (WANL), an expert in Terrorism and author of over 20 books among which are Africa Reunite or Perish, 'Is It Global War on Terrorism' or Global War over Terra Africana? How Africa Developed Europe and contributed many chapters in scholarly works.