Russian President Vladimir Putin has assured that “Africa will not starve”.
This, after Russia refused to extend the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which allowed for the movement of grain from Ukraine to other parts of the world through the Black Sea.
The Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian and Forum kicks off in St Petersburg on Thursday and several African heads of state will attend it.
After his country backed out from the Black Sea Grain Initiative last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin has assured that “Africa will not starve”.
He was speaking just a few days before he hosts African heads of state at the two-day Russia Africa Economic and Humanitarian and Forum.
In his address, Putin claimed the grain deal was nothing but a selfish arrangement that he could replace because Russia was expecting a bumper harvest.
“I want to give assurances that our country is capable of replacing the Ukrainian grain both on a commercial and free-of-charge basis, especially as we expect another record harvest this year.
“Notwithstanding the sanctions, Russia will continue its energetic efforts to provide supplies of grain, food products, fertilisers and other goods to Africa,” he said.
Russia refused to extend the initiative, which allowed for the movement of grain from Ukraine to other parts of the world through the Black Sea, claiming that its demands had not been met.
Some of its demands were that its own fertiliser and wheat imports should be improved under the deal and that the Russian Agricultural Bank (Rosselkhozbank) should be reconnected to the SWIFT international payment system.
It also accused the West of limiting its capacity to offer aid to poorer nations by not honouring Moscow’s demands.
According to Putin, only Kenya and Malawi have benefited from its fertiliser so far.
He said: “Moreover, barriers have been mounted even to our attempts to supply free-of-charge mineral fertilisers to the poorest countries in need. Of [the] 262 000 tonnes of goods blocked in European ports, only two shipments were delivered – one of 20 000 tonnes to Malawi and one of 34 000 tonnes to Kenya. The rest is still unscrupulously held by the Europeans. And this is a purely humanitarian initiative we are talking about.’
Putin said relations with African countries were grounded in their liberation struggles, shared defence capabilities, trust, and goodwill for generations to come.
“I would like to specifically mention the traditionally close cooperation on the world stage, the firm and consistent advocacy rendered by the USSR and then Russia to African countries at international fora.
“We have always strictly adhered to the ‘African solutions to African problems’ principle, standing in solidarity with Africans in their struggle for self-determination, justice, and their legitimate rights,” he added.
“Russia will activate its charm offensive, using the same promises the United States (US) and European Union (EU) had made to African states.
“We stand for granting African countries their rightful place in the structures that determine the world’s fate, including the UN Security Council and the G20, as well as for reforming the global financial and trade institutions in a way that meets their interests,” Putin added.
The forum will bring together Russian and African entrepreneurs, academics, and public figures.
For Putin, it’s an opportunity to grow trade between Russia and Africa.
“I would like to note with satisfaction that Russia’s trade turnover with African countries increased in 2022 and reached almost US$18 billion (about R321 billion). However, we are all well aware that the potential of our trade and economic partnership is much higher.
“Russian companies are interested in working more actively on the continent in the sphere of high technologies and geological exploration, in the fuel and energy complex, including nuclear power, in the chemical industry, mining and transport engineering, agriculture, and fisheries,” he said.
The forum will be held in the midst of Russia’s more than 500-day invasion of Ukraine. It presents a geopolitical twist, particularly for African countries that have chosen to “sit on the fence” as Russia invades Ukraine.
South Africa is in the thick of it, with President Cyril Ramaphosa being one of the African leaders that made the trip to Ukraine and Russia in June with the aim of striking a deal for a ceasefire.
Ramaphosa was also at the centre of a geopolitical tussle with South Africa, which is due to host the BRICS summit next month, but Putin finallay announced that he would not attend while there’s an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for his arrest.
Putin took a walk down memory lane in his address to show that his country, since the days of the Soviet Union, has been Africa’s trusted friend.
One of Russia’s standout acts of support for African countries was in 2008, when, along with China, they vetoed United Nations Security Council sanctions on Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa will attend the forum.
In a statement, he said he looked forward to signing more deals with Russia.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu will not attend and will send Kashim Shettima, his vice-president, on his behalf.
The forum kicks off in St Petersburg on Thursday and continues until Friday.
The first such forum was held in Sochi in 2019, and 43 African heads of state attended it.
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