One more time, the Journal of African Foreign Affairs is bringing to you a series of original research done on Africa from African perspective. It goes from climate change, African states’ contributions to the International Law, interactions with great powers such as the United States, Europe, China, intra-African affairs such as South Africa-Nigeria relationships, to the influence of Russia-Ukraine war on global order.

What is important in seeing and explaining the world from African perspective, sui generis, is the agency of the continent in influencing the world of today and the envisioning of tomorrow by the power of ideas. Politics and development are not only about material resources and leadership, but also about ideas.

The last article discusses the influence of the Russia-Ukraine war on the global order. The fear, when the war started, was the flow of European refugees into Africa. Instead, there are reports that the war itself has spilled over to Africa. Niger and Mali cut diplomatic relations with Ukraine, while Senegal summoned the Ukrainian ambassador as a reaction to a statement by a Ukrainian intelligence service that his country provided information to Malian separatists and jihadists who attacked, on July 25, 2024, a joint Malian-Russian patrol in the Tinzouatene District where 47 Malian soldiers and 84 Russian from Africa Corps (former Wagner Group) were killed.

While dealing with contingencies and demanding mutual respect from the international community, African leaders should not overlook analysis of its experts and Africa-centered ideas and solutions to address the needs of their people.