Disunity in Times of Crisis: COVID-19, Geopolitics and Vaccine Nationalism

South African scholars Victor and Daniel Mlambo analyze the political obstacles undermining effective COVID-19 management in their article, “Disunity in Times of Crisis: COVID-19, Geopolitics and Vaccine Nationalism.” They document how the global response was marked by intense geopolitical rivalry and nationalism rather than cooperation. Rather than transcending political divisions, the pandemic response exacerbated antagonisms between two dominant blocs: the “West” (Europe and North America) and the “East” (primarily Russia and China). The authors emphasize accusations against China for withholding information and restricting exports of medical supplies, while vaccine trust became divided along geopolitical lines—Western vaccines were perceived as more reliable than Eastern alternatives. Wealthier nations secured vaccine stockpiles, while poorer countries depended on COVAX, highlighting profound inequalities.

Mlambo and Mlambo’s research reveals a critical narrative of COVID-19 as a crisis not only of public health but also of global political disunity. Their analysis foregrounds how the dominant stories of ‘solidarity’ and ‘global unity’ were contradicted by nationalist practices and vaccine inequity. This dissonance in storytelling—between ideals of collective human response and the realities of geopolitical self-interest—reflects broader challenges in international relations during the pandemic. The article thus contributes to COVID-19 scholarship by exposing the political dynamics that shaped the global narrative and response.