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'Very Good Political Move': Serbian Expert Comments on Russia's Free Grain Delivery to Somalia

© Sputnik . Vitaly Timkiv / Go to the mediabankA view shows wheat ears to be harvested in the fields of Progress-Agro company in Krasnodar region, Russia.
A view shows wheat ears to be harvested in the fields of Progress-Agro company in Krasnodar region, Russia. - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 02.12.2023
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A ship carrying 25,000 tons of humanitarian wheat from Russia arrived in Somalia on Thursday. According to the East African country's authorities, the aid will be distributed to the population affected by the deadly floods.
Moscow's supply of grain to Somalia is a good political decision, as Russia is kind to those in need, while the West blackmails even allies, Mahmut Bušatlija, one of Serbia's leading development and investment experts, told Sputnik Africa.
He noted that Moscow gained nothing economically from the delivery.

"As for the economic aspect for Russia, it will earn nothing from this and will probably want to pay for the transportation of this grain as well," Bušatlij said.

The expert opined that Russia will continue to supply countries in need that cannot buy grain on the market.

"I think this campaign will continue. It is difficult to predict to what extent, it will depend mainly on the results of agricultural production in Russia this year. If there is a surplus, there will be a better chance that Russia will help hungry countries," he pointed out.

Along with Russia, as the Serbian analyst noted, China is behaving in an open and friendly manner toward those who need help the most. He said this attitude is evident in international forums where a large number of countries participate.

"For example, recently in Beijing, the 10th anniversary celebration of the Belt and Road Initiative was attended by about 140 countries, and more than 60 countries participated in the BRICS planning conference. And that leaves a very good impression," Bušatlij noted.

The expert expressed the hope that "actions to help countries in need of food first and foremost, as well as energy, will continue."
Somalia's Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Daud Aweis told Sputnik Africa on Friday that Somalia is "thankful for the delivery of 25,000 tonnes of grain, which will greatly benefit the thousands of Somali people affected by the current floods resulting from El Niño."
Somalia Receives 25,000 Tons of Flood Aid from Russia - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 01.12.2023
Sub-Saharan Africa
Somalia Commends Russia for Substantial Support After Moscow Delivered 25,000 Tonnes of Grain
In July, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his country's intention to provide grain as humanitarian aid to six African countries on the World Food Program's list: Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Somalia, Central African Republic, Mali, and Eritrea.
The first Russian ships carrying 25,000 tons of wheat each left for Somalia and Burkina Faso on November 17, Russian Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev said. He also revealed that up to 200,000 tons of Russian wheat would be shipped to Africa free of charge by the end of the year.
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