https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230727/misguided-wests-policy-at-root-of-africas-food-crisis-russian-ambassador-says-1060839875.html
'Misguided West's Policy' at Root of Africa's Food Crisis, Russian Ambassador Says
'Misguided West's Policy' at Root of Africa's Food Crisis, Russian Ambassador Says
Sputnik Africa
Speaking at the Second Russia-Africa Summit on July 27, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Moscow is ready to deliver grain free of charge to a... 27.07.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-07-27T18:41+0200
2023-07-27T18:41+0200
2023-07-27T18:41+0200
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The origins of the food problems plaguing the African continent lie in the economic mistakes of Western countries, Alexey Saltykov, Russian Ambassador to Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast, told Sputnik Africa.In addition, Western sanctions against Moscow have further disrupted food security on the African continent, as many countries depend on wheat and fertilizer deliveries from Russia, the diplomat noted.Obsolete Financial SystemIn the present context, marked by Russia's non-extension of the grain agreement, "we need to focus on other logistical means," Saltykov noted.Apart from that, the diplomat reiterated the importance of looking for ways to carry out banking transactions that will not be affected by Western sanctions.Elaborating on the issue, Saltykov said that the current financial system is considered "outdated and obsolete" by many African countries, and it is necessary to switch to settlements in national currencies.Africa's RoleAccording to the diplomat, African countries can force the West to admit its political errors.BRICS in Burkina FasoA representative office of the BRICS bloc is about to be established in Burkina Faso. According to Saltykov, the Burkinabe side should be the first to determine which projects it considers to be priorities.The BRICS representative office has not yet been established, but Burkina Faso's consent has already been received, and "this is a good sign for strengthening the presence of the BRICS bloc in the region," the ambassador concluded.
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https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230613/brics-alliance-office-to-open-in-burkina-faso-1059888958.html
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'Misguided West's Policy' at Root of Africa's Food Crisis, Russian Ambassador Says
Speaking at the Second Russia-Africa Summit on July 27, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Moscow is ready to deliver grain free of charge to a number of African countries, including Burkina Faso.
The origins of the food problems plaguing the African continent lie in the economic mistakes of Western countries, Alexey Saltykov, Russian Ambassador to Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast, told Sputnik Africa.
"Problems with food arose long before the Ukraine crisis, since Western countries erred in their macroeconomic calculations," he explained on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg.
In addition, Western sanctions against Moscow have further disrupted food security on the African continent, as many
countries depend on wheat and fertilizer deliveries from Russia, the diplomat noted.
"Sanctions have created a lot of difficulties in terms of the delivery of goods from our country, insurance, freight, banking transactions, all of which have caused a lot of negative impacts on the wheat and fertilizer trade," Saltykov elaborated.
Obsolete Financial System
In the present context, marked by Russia's non-extension of the grain agreement, "we need to focus on other logistical means," Saltykov noted.
"We need to look at setting up direct deliveries between countries, perhaps, between Russia and African countries, using platforms, hubs in friendly countries," the diplomat argued.
Apart from that, the diplomat reiterated the importance of looking for ways to carry out banking transactions that will not be affected by Western sanctions.
Elaborating on the issue, Saltykov said that the
current financial system is considered "outdated and obsolete" by many African countries, and it is necessary to switch to settlements in national currencies.
"We need to use more local currencies, and I know that these efforts are increasingly developing," he said.
According to the diplomat, African countries can force the West to admit its political errors.
"Our partners are concerned, of course, about the situation that has arisen on the wheat and fertilizer markets. We've told them that it's also up to African countries to help Russia talk to its Western partners, to convince them to admit that their policies are contrary to the interests of African states," Saltykov pointed out.
A representative office of the BRICS bloc is about to be established in Burkina Faso. According to Saltykov, the Burkinabe side
should be the first to determine which projects it considers to be priorities.
"And from there, the BRICS alliance will work to attract investment, to look for companies that can execute these projects," he went on to say.
The BRICS representative office has not yet been established, but Burkina Faso's consent has already been received, and "this is a good sign for strengthening the presence of the BRICS bloc in the region," the ambassador concluded.
