Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated, on Monday, that Africa was "a hostage" of the Russian invasion of Ukraine that has spurred global food shortages and famine fears across the African continent.
"Africa is actually a hostage... of those who unleashed war against our state," Zelenskyy said in an address to the African Union, noting that Kyiv was engaged in "complex negotiations" to unblock the grain trapped at its Black Sea ports by Russia's naval blockade.
"This war may seem very distant to you and your countries. But the food prices that are catastrophically rising have already brought (the war) to the homes of millions of African families," he affirmed. "The unjust level of food prices, which has been provoked by the Russian war, is being painfully felt on all continents. Unfortunately, this can be a particular problem for your countries."
In the same vein, the Ukrainian leader stressed that Ukraine was trying everything to free up its ports while also trying "to build a new logistical supply chain" for the 25 million tonnes of grain blocked inside its borders.
"We are conducting complex multilevel negotiations to unblock our Ukrainian ports. But there is no progress yet because no real tool has yet been found to ensure Russia does not attack them again," he admitted. "That is why the food crisis in the world will continue as long as this colonial war continues."
Moreover, Zelenskyy said Kyiv wanted to "intensify" dialogue with African Union member states and would soon appoint a special representative for Africa.
He also proposed opening a discussion on a "major political and economic conference" on ties between Ukraine and Africa.
On his part, Senegalese President and African Union chair Macky Sall thanked Zelenskyy on Twitter and asserted that Africa "remains committed to respecting the rules of international law, the peaceful resolution of conflict and the freedom of trade".
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