Russia- Africa Summit: President Vladimir Putin promises to provide cereals to six African countries for free
President Vladimir Putin promised free cereals to six African countries . This commitment emerged during the day one of the ongoing Russia-Africa Summit launched on Thursday, July 27, 2023, in Saint Petersburg.
Specifically, the Russian leader pledged to provide up to 50,000 tonnes of cereals to Zimbabwe, Somalia, Eritrea, Mali, the Central African Republic, and Burkina Faso in the coming months.
He stated, «Our country can replace Ukrainian cereals both in commercial terms and in terms of humanitarian aid». President Putin emphasized that Russia is a reliable and responsible producer.
In his speech, President Vladimir Putin justified the decision to end the cereal agreement by stating that Western countries were obstructing the deliveries of Russian fertilizers and cereals.
He denounced that «none of the conditions of the agreement regarding Russian deliveries of cereals and fertilizers has been met».
Notably, President Ibrahim Traoré and Assimi Goïta from Burkina Faso and Mali, respectively, are participating in this high-level meeting.
Other African leaders present include President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, President Azali Assoumani of Comoros, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra of the Central African Republic, President Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, President Macky Sall of Senegal, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi of Egypt, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia, and Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa of Tanzania.
Pedro Okalamar
