Russia's supply of grain to African countries is "truly" humanitarian aid, as it is not linked to any political or economic concessions from its African partners, Hassan Daud, former ambassador of Somalia to Russia, told Sputnik Africa.
"The stability of Russia’s authority in African countries (major humanitarian actions took place back in Soviet times, but Russia is still remembered here as the best partner of developing countries here) is connected precisely with the format of your country’s assistance: it is provided without capitalist calculation a la 'you give me - I'll give you.' Therefore, it is truly humanitarian aid," Daud noted.
He added that the importance of the Russian aid is enormous, especially in the context of the climate crisis and the escalation of several conflicts in the Sahara and East African regions, and is only related to the objective problems of Africa and its people.
"I see this as a manifestation of the famous 'broad Russian soul'," the former ambassador said.
A ship carrying 25,000 tonnes of humanitarian wheat from Russia had previously arrived in Somalia in early December.
On the night of January 10, the first ship with free Russian grain for the Central African Republic began unloading in the Cameroonian port of Douala.
Last week, bags of free Russian grain began to be unloaded in the Eritrean port of Massawa for transport to the country's capital, Asmara, Russian Ambassador Igor Mozgo told Sputnik Africa.
On December 29, a ship carrying 25,000 tonnes of Russian wheat destined for Zimbabwe arrived in the Mozambican port of Beira. On December 19, a ship carrying Russian grain destined for Burkina Faso arrived at a West African transit port.