“On July 27th and 28th, Saint Petersburg will host the second Russia-Africa Summit under the theme ‘For Peace, Security, and Development.’
According to Moscow, delegations from 49 countries are expected in Saint Petersburg from July 27th to 28th for the second Russia-Africa Summit. The summit comes amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine, with the non-renewal of the agreement on grain exports in the Black Sea, posing a risk to food supplies for Africans. It also takes place in the context of Russian President’s non-participation in the BRICS summit at the end of August, which appears to be a setback in the traditional relationship between Russia and South Africa.
In a published article ahead of the Russia-Africa Summit scheduled for July 27th and 28th in Saint Petersburg and reported by Anadolu, Russian President Vladimir Putin assured that the withdrawal of his country from the grain agreement will not negatively impact African countries. Putin clarified that Russia is expecting a record harvest this year and affirmed that Russia can provide Russian grain both through commercial means and as aid.
Twenty-five African countries annually import more than a third of their wheat from Russia and Ukraine. Due to the rise in food prices since the start of the war between Russia and Ukraine, African countries have faced difficult times and initiated efforts for the two countries to find a peace agreement. The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, expressed deep disappointment over the suspension of the Black Sea Grain Corridor Agreement and called on the parties to continue the agreement.”
