And it can only end on the basis of justice and reason," African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat told Putin and African leaders in St Petersburg. Putin gave it a cool reception when African leaders presented it to him last month. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa told Putin: "We feel that we have a right to call for peace - the ongoing conflict also negatively affects us." The Ukrainian Grain Association estimated in May that 4 million metric tons of Ukrainian grain had been stolen since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February last year. The leaders of Mali and Central African Republic, whose governments have relied heavily on the services of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, both expressed gratitude to Putin.

Source: The North Africa Journal July 29, 2023 09:51 UTC