Certain Uncertainty

20Leaders Talk Less and Speak Last

Modupe Taylor‐Pearce

Since the invasion of Ukraine started on February 24, 2022, the world has been plunged into an energy and fuel crisis, with growing uncertainty in the medium‐ to long‐term economic growth prospects. Livelihoods are being destroyed across the world, as well as lives being lost in Ukraine. The effect of fuel price increases and supply chain interruptions are being felt throughout the world. In Africa, where there is little economic wiggle‐room for most citizens, the resultant increases in food and commodities prices are pushing African people into starvation.

On March 9, 2022, Al‐Jazeera reported that the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, was “surprised” by the resistance being put up by the Ukrainian armed forces and its people against the Russians. He had apparently believed that the Russian army would be viewed as liberators and the Ukrainian people would support a return to “Mother Russia.” It turns out he was mistaken, as the Ukrainian people have embraced their identity and are resisting the better‐armed Russian soldiers. How did he end up making such a miscalculation on a project that has now wrought so much havoc on so many?

On March 30, 2022, Reuters reported that President Putin was surrounded by “advisers who are afraid to tell him the truth.” The military leaders did not inform him that their troops were not logistically or emotionally ready for such an offensive and that the people of the country they would ...