– Russia to supply free grain to Africa
By Ntoh Michael Makia, In St. Petersburg
Vladimir Putin, president of Russia, says Africa will become one of the leaders in the multi polar world order.
“The states of Africa are constantly increasing their weight and their role in world affairs,” said Putin at the International Parliamentary Conference dubbed “Russia-Africa in a Multi polar World” that opened 20 March in Moscow.
“They are asserting themselves more and more confidently in politics and in the economy. We are convinced that Africa will become one of the leaders in the emerging new multi polar world order – there are all objective prerequisites for this,” said Putin.
The leader of the Russian Federation also said Russia will supply free grain to Africa if it does not extend the grain deal with Ukraine and the UN in 60 days.
He added that Russia has always paid and will continue to pay priority attention to cooperation with the countries of Africa.
Putin stressed that the Russian Federation and the countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America oppose neo-colonial ideology and they, together, make up the world majority.
More than 40 delegations from countries of the African continent took part in the conference organized by the State Duma or the Russian Parliament.
The Duma speaker, Hon. Vyacheslav Volodin stressed in his speech that Russia and African countries are equal allies. “Our relations have always been built on a disinterested basis, on the principles of mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs,” he said. Meanwhile, he said, the West continues its colonial policies.
“Washington and Brussels are seeking to take control of Russian and African natural resources,” Hon.Volodin added.
In turn, the Chairman of the Federation Council, Speaker of the Russian Senate, Hon. Valentina Matviyenko called on Africa to demand compensation from the former colonizers. “I think that today it is necessary to raise the issue of compensation for damage in full voice about financial payments to all the peoples of Africa who suffered during the colonial period from European oppressors, from the consequences of colonialism,” she suggested.
The key moment of the forum was Vladimir Putin’s speech. First, the President recalled that since the heroic struggle of the peoples of Africa for their independence, the Soviet Union has provided significant support in these processes. “[Moscow] helped many African states gain and protect their sovereignty, consistently supported the formation of statehood, strengthening defense capabilities, creating the foundations of the national economy, and training personnel,” Putin said.
The President stressed that today the Russian Federation continues to follow the line of support and assistance to the continent. This applies to economics, politics, energy and technology. In particular, Vladimir Putin pointed out that Russia is fulfilling its obligations to supply food and fertilizers to Africa, but it is being hindered.
“You probably know that we are ready to transfer part of the resources we have frozen in European countries, including fertilizers – the first batches have passed – to transfer to countries in need for free. But, unfortunately, here too we are being hindered,” said the head of the Russian Federation.
He also added that, despite all the restrictions almost 12 million tons of grain were sent to Africa from Russia.
The President again pointed to the unfair distribution of exported Ukrainian grain as part of a food deal. “Of the total volume of grain exported from Ukraine, about 45% went to European countries, and only 3% – to Africa,” Putin stressed.
He said Russia insists on the package nature of the grain deal and on its full execution. “Guided primarily by the needs of African countries, Russia recently agreed to prolong for another 60 days the agreement signed in Istanbul,” the Russian president explained. He stressed that grain and fertilizer should go to needy African states, and not to “well-fed European countries.”
The President also promised that Russia would supply Africa with grain for free if it decides not to renew the grain deal in 60 days. “We are ready to supply all the volume that was sent previously to African countries in need, free of charge,” he said.
Africa receives financial support from Russia as well. Thus, Vladimir Putin said that Russia had written off debts to African countries to the tune of more than $20 billion.
Speaking about cooperation with African countries in various fields, the president also promised that Russia is ready to continue helping the countries of the continent in matters of electricity production. In particular, he recalled that Rosatom is already building a nuclear power plant in Egypt and plans to expand its participation in the development of African national energy systems.
Putin also assured that Russia is always ready to share its technologies. For example, he cited Angola, where a system of satellite communications and television broadcasting is being created with Russian assistance.
He also mentioned the Yandex company, which is actively introducing information services in the countries of the African continent to organize the transportation of passengers by taxi and other modes of transport.
*The author, a Cameroonian living and working in Russia for nearly three decades, is Director of Studies, I.L. Academy St Petersburg. He is soon launching a regular column MOSCOW talk.
