‘Peace and stability’ – African leaders welcome Russia-Ukraine wheat deal
African leaders have welcomed a Ukraine-Russia deal that is set to unblock wheat and maize exports from Ukrainian ports.
The African Union (AU) said the agreement was a “welcome development” for the continent on Saturday, adding that grain shipments were urgently needed to avert famine.
Macky Sall, chairman of the 55 member state continental body, said the deal was a “response” to Russia’s visit in June, where AU officials stressed to Putin “the urgency of returning cereals from Ukraine and Russia to world markets.”
Brokered by the UN and Turkey, the deal is the first major agreement involving Moscow and Kyiv since the conflict began in February. It aims to reduce grain prices and restore exports to countries currently gripped by food shortages.
The agreement should make it possible to export between 20 and 25 million tonnes of grain stuck in Ukraine, if successful.
