the African Union “welcomes” the agreement on cereals between Moscow and Kyiv

Relief. The African Union (AU) has “congratulated” Saturday, July 23 of the agreement signed between Russia and Ukraine to unblock grain exports. For the institution, it is a “welcome development” for the continent which faces an increased risk of famine.

This agreement is “answer” to the visit to Russia in June of the Senegalese Head of State Macky Sall, Chairman of the AU, and of Moussa Faki, Chairman of the AU Commission, who had emphasized to Vladimir Putin “the urgency of the return of cereals from Ukraine and Russia to world markets”underlines the organization in a press release.

Under this agreement, “safe corridors” allow the circulation of merchant ships in the Black Sea, “both parties have pledged not to attack”, according to a United Nations official who requested anonymity. Faced with the risk of mines, mainly laid by the Ukrainians to protect their coasts, “Ukrainian pilots” pave the way for cargo ships in territorial waters.

The agreement will be valid for “120 days”the time to get out the 25 million tonnes of grain piled up in silos in Ukraine, as a new harvest approaches. In exchange, Russia notably obtained the guarantee that Western sanctions would not apply, either directly or indirectly, to its own exports of agricultural products and fertilizers.