{"id":16959,"date":"2023-07-31T10:15:16","date_gmt":"2023-07-31T07:15:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=16959"},"modified":"2023-07-31T15:02:14","modified_gmt":"2023-07-31T12:02:14","slug":"russia-africa-summit-ends-without-progress-on-black-sea-grain-initiative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/russia-africa-summit-ends-without-progress-on-black-sea-grain-initiative\/","title":{"rendered":"Russia-Africa summit ends without progress on Black Sea Grain Initiative"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The two-day-long annual summit between the leaders of African nations and Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded in St. Petersburg. Without signaling the resumption of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Putin pledged to supply Africa with grain and fight against \u2018neo-colonialism\u2019.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pulling off a continental summit was a test of Moscow\u2019s support in Africa, especially after its withdrawal from the Black Sea grain deal<\/span><\/a>. African region was reaping the most benefit out of the deal due to the cheaper grain prices. Despite facing isolation from the Western world due to its invasion of Ukraine, Russia retains substantial support among the African leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Representatives from 49 different African nations attended the event while the number of country heads was depleted compared to the previous summit. Only 17 heads of African states were present during the summit held from July 27 to July 28, 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Russia-Africa<\/a>
Russian President Vladimir Putin addressing the second Russia-Africa Summit held in St Petersburg during July 27-28, 2023. (Image Credit: Kremlin\/RIA Novosti)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A joint declaration signed by all the participants called for \u201cthe establishment of a more just, balanced and stable multipolar world order, firmly opposing all types of international confrontation in the African continent.\u201d It said that Russia would support African countries’ efforts to “ensure compensation for colonial policies, including the restitution of cultural property displaced in the process of colonial plundering.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Putin pledges to fight against \u2018neo-colonialism\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the two-day summit, Russian President Putin made several appearances and held bilateral meetings with the African leaders present at the summit. On the first day, the Russian leader mentioned the \u201cjoint determination to counter neocolonialism, the practice of applying illegitimate sanctions and attempts to undermine traditional moral values.\u201d Putin said that the participants of the summit have “demonstrated their independence and real interest in developing cooperation with our country.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While speaking at a press conference following the Russia-Africa summit, Putin said \u201cRussia\u2019s attention to Africa is steadily growing.\u201d Putin also justified Russia\u2019s decision to pull out from the Black Sea Grain Initiative<\/span><\/a>, the United Nations- and Turkey-brokered deal under which Ukrainian grain exports were shipped across the Black Sea to global markets, including Africa, easing pressure on food prices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Russian president said that the grain deal was \u201cshamelessly used exclusively to enrich large American and European businesses that exported and resold grain from Ukraine.\u201d The Russian leader also pledged to wipe out the debts of Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


African nations urge Russia to renew grain deal<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several African leaders and representatives, especially the representatives of Kenya and the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi urged Moscow to renew<\/span><\/a> the Black Sea Grain Initiative saying that it was “essential” the deal be revived. Egypt and Kenya are the key buyers of grain via the Black Sea route and are particularly vulnerable to global food price shocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Putin promises free grain to African countries<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To pacify the request of the African leadership, Putin assured that Russia would provide all the needed grains to African nations. In addition, he also promised to provide shipping 25,000 to 50,000 tons of free grains to each of the six African nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Russian President Vladimir Putin, front, fifth right, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, fourth right, pose for a family photo with heads of delegations and participants of the second Russia-Africa summit in St Petersburg, Russia, on July 28, 2023. (Image Credit: Kremlin)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Russia plans to ship tons of grain for free to six African nations including Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Somalia, Eritrea, Mali, and the Central African Republic, in the next three to four months<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Calls to end the war in Ukraine<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While not being directly critical of Moscow, the representatives of the African states and the leaders of the African nations showed their concerns about the ongoing war in Ukraine. \u201cThis war must end, and it can only end on the basis of justice and reason,\u201d African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat told Putin and African leaders at the summit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Republic of the Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso said the African initiative \u201cdeserves the closest attention\u201d as he called \u201curgently\u201d for peace. Senegalese President Macky Sall suggested an immediate \u201cde-escalation to help create calm\u201d while South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said he hoped that \u201cconstructive engagement and negotiation\u201d could help end the conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As South Africa, we are steadfast in our position that negotiation, dialogue and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter are necessary for the peaceful and just resolution of conflict. It is our hope that constructive engagement and negotiation can bring about\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/8lRUzDjFke<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Cyril Ramaphosa \ud83c\uddff\ud83c\udde6 (@CyrilRamaphosa) July 28, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>