Editor: There is an old African saying that goes like this: “when elephants fight, the grass suffers”. In other words when the goliaths of the animal world are locked in combat, the grass beneath their feet gets trampled. As a logical extension, those who depend on the grass for food will starve.

It is a saying very relevant to the present day when the world is faced with a very real threat of yet another war, beginning in Europe which will hurt us all. As Russia and the USA gear up for combat, already oil prices are skyrocketing and the world financial markets in jitters. We, poor ones will suffer most, on top of our already humongous problems.

Most of us do not know or understand the historical situation behind the Ukraine situation, nor is the international media helping us in that regard. What we automatically assume is that the “evil” Russia is again acting up. We do not even understand that just as in the late 19th century, the victors of the last world war carved up the world between them, East and West.

Now the West has gone East surrounding what is left of the Soviet Union, Putin’s Russia, hence its fears. But Russia cannot take it upon itself to find a military solution and in the process envelop the world in conflict and economic turmoil.

Similarly, the USA cannot use hypocritical claims about defending “sovereignty” and “democracy”. What did the USA do in the Cuban crisis of 1962? The cruel embargo against Cuba is still in place. And in criticizing Putin’s recognition of the eastern Ukrainian territories, didn’t the USA recognize Guaido in Venezuela and hand over assets of the Venezuelan people to him? The elephants operate in their own interests.

Still, two wrongs don’t make a right and Russia cannot hope to find a military solution. For us as a people, whatever our concerns, war, in whatever shape or form will hurt us most. Peaceful solutions via the United Nations must be pursued. Our interests must be placed first in any outlook on the conflict.

Renwick Rose