Recent reports have indicated that the United Nations is concerned about a deteriorating global food crisis as a result of the conflict in Ukraine and the sanctions that the West has placed on Russia. The situation is especially grave in East Africa, which has historically purchased almost 90 percent of its imported grain from Russia and Ukraine. This area is one of the worst hit by the current crisis.
During a meeting on Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the African Union (AU) and Senegalese President ,Macky Sall warned that Western sanctions on Russia threaten to trigger a crisis in Africa over the continent's ability to secure its food supply. He argued for the removal of limitations that are now placed on grain crops and fertilizers produced in Russia.
According to Sall,
“Sanctions against the Russian Federation have exacerbated the situation because we no longer have access to grain, especially wheat from Russia, and most importantly, to fertilizers, which poses a serious threat to food security on the continent,”
He pointed out two major problems, the global food crisis and anti-Russian sanctions, and said that these problems needed to be worked out so that food products, in particular grains and fertilizers, are removed from the list of sanctions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that ties between his country and African nations are presently entering a new stage of growth, which is highly vital for both Russia and Africa. Putin added that, the volume of bilateral trade between Russia and the continent has been growing and is up by more than 34% in the first months of this year.He reminded the Africa Union president of Russia's efforts to stop colonialism .
“I would like to remind that our country has always been on the side of Africa, supported Africa in the fight against colonialism,”
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