Africa Promised With Grains As Russia Seeks Alliance

In an attempt to get Africa’s confidence for its side Russia offered free food grains following African leaders’ plea to resume the deal that was responsible for outflow of food grains from Ukraine. It was made during the Russia – Africa Summit which was held in St. Petersburg, Russia. 

The deal allowed food grains to be exported through Ukraine but now as the war seems to be only raging at day 522, Russia decided to terminate the grain deal as notified earlier this month. This rise, quite naturally led to a rise of prices which benefits the Russian producers. Commenting over the matter, he promised that Moscow will be sharing the extended profit with some of the “poorest nations” in Africa. 

Image source : The conversation

This promise is preceded by Putin’s word to Africa which entails shipping of around 25,000 to 50,000 tons of food grains for free to 6 chosen African nations in the upcoming 3-4 months. These nations include Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, Eritrea and the Central African Republic. Putin also announced writing off of debts as an addition to the offer. 

As compared to the 2019 summit where 43 nations from Africa attended, this year the conference was graced by only 17 of the 54 African heads of states or government. The main concern behind the meeting was to reflect over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its inflictions on countries in Africa while Moscow is hoping for support from the African continent in the matter of war. 

The presidents from Egypt and South Africa were the most outspoken on the need to resume the grain deal. The UN World Food Program ships 7,25,000 tons of grains to countries in need, not just in Africa but several other Nations as per grain deal in order to avert the global food crisis. 

The participants jointly signed a declaration stating the common goal for establishment of a more balanced, stable and justified multipolar order worldwide that opposes all types of international confrontation in the African continent. 

Putin recognised Africa as a new centre of power while Russia is in need of international support in times of war, the president has made the smart move of not only maintaining grains supplies after Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea green deal, he also announced on his plans to build plan and factory in the African to water the diplomatic conjunctions.

Putin also used Russia’s distaste of West’s aversions towards Africa to lure the nations into the confidances of ex Soviet nation. With Russia’s need to look up for alternative to European partners, he criticized Kremlin’s diplomatic and economic offensives from the past. In similiar attempts, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had toured Africa twice communicating Russia’s ideals to be against Western “neocolonialism” and “imperialism”. 

Putin also promised to work on improving mutual cooperation on aid, energy and trade especially focusing on currency in the wake of Russia’ removal from accessing US dollar. This could be counted as another coin in the de-dollarisation pot, as much of the countries are showing their inclination and interests in a common currency different than the green dollar. He hinted this by saying that the countries will keep switching to their national currencies for international trade and transactions. 

Leaders of several African nations including Mali and the Central African Republic showed gratitude towards Russia considering Russia’ constant help in restoring democracy in the nation’s in the wake of Russia’s Wagner group.