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South Africa thanks Russia for grain supplies decisions

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
29 Jul 2023 11:26
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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa thanks Russia for the grain supplies, reaffirming that the war in Ukraine has negatively affected the African continent and must come to an end.

President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa, and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands before an official ceremony to welcome the leaders of delegations to the Russia Africa Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, July 27, 2023. (AP)

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa voiced African countries' gratitude during the Russian- African summit after Russia announced its free grain supplies offer.

Ramaphosa reaffirmed that African delegations had not headed to St. Petersburg to request free grain supplies, but rather Ramaphosa told Putin, "We feel that we have a right to call for peace - the ongoing conflict also negatively affects us."

Moscow's decision, however, was welcomed and greatly appreciated.

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

The Second Russia-Africa Summit and Economic and Humanitarian Forum commenced in St. Petersburg, where Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized his country's sincere desire to build a strategic and multifaceted partnership with African nations. The summit, held from July 27 to 28, aimed to strengthen relations and explore opportunities for cooperation between Russia and Africa.

Political Will and Commitment to Cooperation

During the summit, President Putin commended African leaders for demonstrating political will, independence, and genuine interest in bolstering ties with Moscow.

The leaders' commitment to success in the Russian-African partnership was evident, reaffirming their collective dedication to unlock new areas of mutually beneficial cooperation.

Putin expressed his belief in creating a fair, democratic, and multipolar world order based on universally recognized principles of international law and the United Nations Charter. The summit successfully established a mechanism for dialogue, enabling Russia and African nations to coordinate efforts in addressing global challenges such as terrorism, extremism, and food crises.

Working Towards Food and Energy Security

The joint declaration adopted at the Russia-Africa Summit showcased the commitment of both sides to work together to ensure Africa's long-term food and energy security. The declaration emphasized countering the use of illegitimate unilateral tools and methods while advocating against approaches that harm the most vulnerable populations and undermine international food and energy security.

Russia further pledged assistance to Africa in resolving the current grain crisis, with President Putin offering to supply grain free of charge. This initiative aims to alleviate the burden on African countries and open channels for easing the crisis through cooperative efforts.

Advancing Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation

The summit resulted in the adoption of a comprehensive joint action plan for 2023-2026, with a key focus on developing cooperation in civilian nuclear energy and related sectors. Both Russia and African nations expressed their intent to organize international and regional fora on peaceful uses of nuclear energy. This step signifies a significant leap forward in expanding the collaborative potential between Russia and African countries in the field of nuclear energy.