IRIA News

The two-day-long annual summit between the leaders of African nations and Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded in St. Petersburg. Without signaling the resumption of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Putin pledged to supply Africa with grain and fight against ‘neo-colonialism’.

Pulling off a continental summit was a test of Moscow’s support in Africa, especially after its withdrawal from the Black Sea grain deal. African region was reaping the most benefit out of the deal due to the cheaper grain prices. Despite facing isolation from the Western world due to its invasion of Ukraine, Russia retains substantial support among the African leadership.

Representatives from 49 different African nations attended the event while the number of country heads was depleted compared to the previous summit. Only 17 heads of African states were present during the summit held from July 27 to July 28, 2023.

A joint declaration signed by all the participants called for “the establishment of a more just, balanced and stable multipolar world order, firmly opposing all types of international confrontation in the African continent.” It said that Russia would support African countries’ efforts to “ensure compensation for colonial policies, including the restitution of cultural property displaced in the process of colonial plundering.”

Putin pledges to fight against ‘neo-colonialism’

During the two-day summit, Russian President Putin made several appearances and held bilateral meetings with the African leaders present at the summit. On the first day, the Russian leader mentioned the “joint determination to counter neocolonialism, the practice of applying illegitimate sanctions and attempts to undermine traditional moral values.” Putin said that the participants of the summit have “demonstrated their independence and real interest in developing cooperation with our country.”

While speaking at a press conference following the Russia-Africa summit, Putin said “Russia’s attention to Africa is steadily growing.” Putin also justified Russia’s decision to pull out from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, the United Nations- and Turkey-brokered deal under which Ukrainian grain exports were shipped across the Black Sea to global markets, including Africa, easing pressure on food prices.

The Russian president said that the grain deal was “shamelessly used exclusively to enrich large American and European businesses that exported and resold grain from Ukraine.” The Russian leader also pledged to wipe out the debts of Africa.

African nations urge Russia to renew grain deal

Several African leaders and representatives, especially the representatives of Kenya and the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi urged Moscow to renew the Black Sea Grain Initiative saying that it was “essential” the deal be revived. Egypt and Kenya are the key buyers of grain via the Black Sea route and are particularly vulnerable to global food price shocks.

Putin promises free grain to African countries

To pacify the request of the African leadership, Putin assured that Russia would provide all the needed grains to African nations. In addition, he also promised to provide shipping 25,000 to 50,000 tons of free grains to each of the six African nations.

Russia plans to ship tons of grain for free to six African nations including Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Somalia, Eritrea, Mali, and the Central African Republic, in the next three to four months

Calls to end the war in Ukraine

While not being directly critical of Moscow, the representatives of the African states and the leaders of the African nations showed their concerns about the ongoing war in Ukraine. “This war must end, and it can only end on the basis of justice and reason,” African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat told Putin and African leaders at the summit.

Republic of the Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso said the African initiative “deserves the closest attention” as he called “urgently” for peace. Senegalese President Macky Sall suggested an immediate “de-escalation to help create calm” while South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said he hoped that “constructive engagement and negotiation” could help end the conflict.

As South Africa, we are steadfast in our position that negotiation, dialogue and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter are necessary for the peaceful and just resolution of conflict. It is our hope that constructive engagement and negotiation can bring about… pic.twitter.com/8lRUzDjFke

— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) July 28, 2023

Bilateral Meetings

Russian President Vladimir Putin also held several bilateral meetings with the leaders of the African nations at the sidelines of the summit. During his meeting with the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the Russian President assured that the grain supply to Africa would not be affected due to Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea grain deal.

Putin also held a bilateral meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa who laid out 10 points of the African peace initiative that is seeking agreement on a series of “confidence-building measures.”

The leaders of Mali and the Central African Republic, whose governments have relied heavily on the services of Russia’s military support, both expressed gratitude to Putin during their bilateral meetings. President Faustin Archange Touadera of the Central African Republic said that his country’s relations with Russia had helped save its democracy and avoid a civil war. He thanked Russia “for helping us to oppose foreign hegemony.”