African leaders including South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa and Senegal's president, Macky Sall, participated on Friday in a visit to the Ukrainian town of Bucha, the site of one of the biggest massacres of civilians by Russian forces in the conflict. African leaders laid commemorative candles at a small memorial outside the church. “Life is universal, and we must protect lives – Ukrainian lives, Russian lives, global lives. The visit is part of an African diplomatic mission to Ukraine and Russia to try to ensure exports of Russian fertilizer and grain do not stop. Last year, Turkey and the UN brokered a deal with Russia and Ukraine to allow a demilitarized corridor in the Black Sea.

Source: The North Africa Journal June 16, 2023 20:27 UTC