One of the goals of the African peace mission is to help Russia unblock its grain and fertilizer exports via the Black Sea, thus facilitating their supply to African nations, said Jean Yves Ollivier, an international negotiator and the head of the Brazzaville Foundation, in an interview with Sputnik Africa.
According to the negotiator, African countries used to get their supplies from Russia, but the sanctions imposed against the country over its special military operation in Ukraine made it impossible for Russian grain and fertilizers to reach the continent. He noted that the local economies were largely affected by the conflict in particular because of this "vital problem of grain and fertilizers."
"The grain supply is in danger because of the conflict. The problem of fertilizers is essential to solve for the good of Africa and in a more general context, we hope that inflation can be reduced, as well as other consequences," he said.
He explained that Russia faced mostly a technical problem due to the sanctions. Even though Russian fertilizers, which are the most exported fertilizers in the world and more particularly in Africa, are not subject to the sanctions imposed by the EU or the US, thee are major hurdles to its export and transportation.
"We could theoretically buy these fertilizers, but we don't have the means to transport them because the ships cannot enter Russian ports since they are subject to sanctions. Moreover, means of payment are not available to Russians," Ollivier noted.
Therefore, African countries decided to try, with support from Ukraine and Russia, to reach an international agreement on this particular issue in order "to allow Russia first of all" to supply fertilizers to the continent, which is in dire need. The problem must be solved as quickly as possible to ensure that Africa yields a fruitful harvest and thus eliminate the possibility of mass famine.
He highlighted that for the continent, a peaceful resolution of the conflict is of critical importance as its food security and well-being of its population are at stake.
"Africa could not just be a spectator in this conflict and Africa wants to make its voice heard," he underscored.
Ollivier noted that international negotiators along with African leaders hope that their mission and other processes that are expected to follow will be able to reduce the tension between the warring sides and prevent military actions from happening in the future.
However, he acknowledged that their initiative is only at the beginning, and there is still a long way forward. Recalling that there have been signs of goodwill from both parties, he noted that the primary concern now is to initiate dialogue "in the hope that it can help bring about a peaceful solution to this conflict."
The United Nations and Turkiye brokered the grain agreement in July 2022 to facilitate exports of Ukrainian agricultural products from Black Sea ports amid the conflict in that county. The agreement also includes a memorandum of understanding between Russia and the United Nations to unblock Russian grain and fertilizer exports via the Black Sea, which, according to Moscow, has not been implemented due to the sanctions imposed by the West.