Some parts of Africa are already experiencing the consequences of disruptions in food supplies from Ukraine.
Because of this, Senegalese President and chairman of the African Union Macky Sall said he would seek to unblock grain and fertilizer exports from Russia and Ukraine in order to avoid widespread famine, ProAgro Group reported, citing VoA.
Nearly half of Africa’s 54 countries depend on wheat imports from Russia and Ukraine, according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization.
“We yearn for a cease-fire, a war and the release of all food … so the world won’t know hunger after two years of COVID and almost three months of war,” Sall said.
Sall plans to visit Russia and Ukraine in the coming weeks. He said earlier that the African Union wants peace in Ukraine and calls for dialogue between the two sides.
“There are many initiatives that call on countries that have stocks (of grain) to release them … and ensure that Russia can allow grain exports from Ukraine and can also export itself. This is Africa’s position,” he stressed.
