WILLAGRI
Already affected by the rise in cereal prices, Africa is also impacted by the non-renewal of the cereal trade agreement allowing the export of Ukrainian wheat via the Black Sea.
Last July, Vladimir Putin decided to withdraw Russia from this agreement, partly because he believes that the completed agreement has not truly served the neediest.
In March of this year, he reassured Africans by indicating that Russia would directly supply Africa in case the renewal failed. This was a way to position himself as a savior, especially for about fifteen African countries that buy over 50% of their cereals from Russians and Ukrainians.
During the Russia-Africa Summit last July, Vladimir Putin confirmed the free delivery of 25 to 50,000 tons of cereals to 6 countries: Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, Central African Republic, and Eritrea.
This approach opens the door to direct negotiations between Russia and Africa, in the absence of European actors.
Sources: Alternatives Économiques and Marianne