The group has also called on the United Nations to take action to release 200,000 tonnes of Russian fertilizer stuck in European Union ports, according to Vincent Magwenya, a spokesman for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
African leaders involved in peace talks over Ukraine have called for the unblocking of Russian grain and fertiliser exports to revive the agreement on grain exports through the Black Sea.
“Leaders called for specific measures to remove barriers to Russian grain and fertilizer exports, allowing for the resumption of full implementation” of the Black Sea deal, Magwenya said during the meeting. a press briefing in Pretoria.
Last month, Russia pulled out of a UN-mediated agreement that allowed Ukraine to export grain through the Black Sea, causing grain prices to soar and severely impacting the world’s poorest nations.
Regarding a different arrangement involving its own exports, particularly of fertilizers, Moscow is requesting guarantees.
Following discussions with Mr. Putin in St. Petersburg last week, Mr. Ramaphosa and six other heads of state, including Abdel Fattah al-Sissi of Egypt and Macky Sall of Senegal, called for the Kremlin’s demands to be met.
Russia has recently shelled ports in the Odessa region, which were essential for the safe transit of grain exports under the agreement.
Seven African nations are involved in a diplomatic effort to mediate a halt to hostilities between Kiev and Moscow, including Egypt, South Africa, and Senegal.
