The export of several agricultural products has been suspended for six months by Guinea's military leadership in order to conserve supplies, the Guinean Ministry of Trade has reported.
"We are entering a (lean) period. We need to replenish our reserves to ensure food sovereignty and social peace," a trade ministry official told media.
It has been also clarified by the ministry that the measure is not related to Monday's termination of the Black Sea Grain Deal, which facilitated meagre agricultural exports from Russia and Ukraine to African countries.
The ban on the export of a number of products (including rice, onions, potatoes, fresh chili peppers, eggplants, fresh tomatoes, taro, cassava, maize, cassava, yams, sweet potatoes, and palm oil) is enforced under a penalty of fines or even prosecution, according to the ministry's statement.
In addition, Guinea's government declared its decision to suspend the country's membership in the Organisation for the Development of the Senegal River (OMVS), created to execute programs of water and ecosystems management, the press release signed by the spokesman for the Guinean presidency revealed.
"The highest Guinean authorities have noted with regret that the concerns and strategic interests of Guinea's participation in the OMVS have not always been taken into account by the said organization since its creation," the press release said.