The recent visit of African leaders to both Ukraine and Russia has shed light on the underlying priorities of their engagement, which extend beyond peace negotiations. As explosions rocked Kyiv and the African delegation sought shelter from air strikes, discussions surrounding significant grain trade between Africa and Ukraine took center stage. With neither Russia nor Ukraine showing genuine interest in peace talks, the delegation’s efforts to broker peace appeared futile. Moreover, the visit revealed a limited understanding of the Russo-Ukrainian conflict within the developing world, as African representatives prioritized their own stability, food security, and continuity of their regimes and countries.
Contrary to initial perceptions that the African delegation’s trip was primarily aimed at peace negotiations, it became evident that discussions on grain trade were at the core of their engagements. Both Ukraine and Russia play crucial roles in global grain production, and disruptions caused by the conflict have had far-reaching consequences for Africa. The disruption of grain exports, coupled with Russia’s blockade of ports, has exacerbated supply restrictions and contributed to high food prices on the African continent.
The African delegation’s peace mission faced a daunting reality as Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated his stance on negotiations with Russia. Zelenskyy insisted that talks could only commence following the complete withdrawal of Russian forces from occupied territories, expressing skepticism toward previous agreements such as the Minsk Agreements due to deceptive tactics employed by the Kremlin. However, the delegation’s efforts were overshadowed by the lack of genuine interest from both sides in pursuing a peaceful resolution.
The visit of African leaders to Kyiv highlighted a limited understanding of the Russo-Ukrainian conflict within the developing world. Unlike their Western counterparts, the African representatives prioritized concerns such as their own stability, food security, imported goods, and the continuity of their regimes and countries. This perspective appeared detached from the on-the-ground realities of the conflict and the ongoing battles fought for freedom in Ukraine
The apparent reticence of the African delegation can be partly attributed to the pervasive influence of Kremlin propaganda in Africa. Russia has been actively cultivating its influence in the region, positioning itself as a counterweight to the West. Meanwhile, Ukraine has been working to establish diplomatic ties with African nations. Additionally, the impact of the conflict on Ukraine’s agricultural sector, particularly grain exports, has had significant consequences for Africa, contributing to supply restrictions and higher food prices.
The destruction caused by Russia, including the targeted attack on the Nova Kakhovka dam, has severely impacted Ukraine’s agricultural sector. The resulting damage to irrigation systems and decreased grain production has led to potential price hikes. Rebuilding the dam is expected to take several years, exacerbating the food crisis in the medium to long term.
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