COMRADELY SUPPORT
Ramaphosa and other African leaders back Putin’s reasons for pulling out of Black Sea Grain Initiative
The leaders say Western countries should lift sanctions supposedly impeding Russia’s exports of food and fertiliser.
President Cyril Ramaphosa and other leaders of the African peace initiative on the Russia-Ukraine war have backed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s justification for pulling out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which had released more than 32 million tonnes of Ukrainian cereals on to the world market.
Under the deal, which began a year ago, Russia lifted its blockade of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports to allow it to export its grain. The initiative earned vital foreign exchange for Ukraine and helped to bring down global food prices, which were hitting Africa hardest.
But last month Putin pulled out of the initiative, insisting he would reinstate it only if Western countries removed the obstacles which he said were hindering Russia’s exports of its own grain and fertiliser. Food and fertiliser are specifically exempt from the general sanctions which Western nations imposed on Russia because of its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. But Moscow has claimed that other sanctions, such as on shipping and finances, have indirectly impeded its food and fertiliser exports.
Speaking for the seven African nations in the peace initiative, Ramaphosa told Putin at the Russia-Africa Summit in St Petersburg last Friday that they wanted him to reinstate the Black Sea Grain Initiative because Russia’s resumption of the blockade on Ukrainian ports was increasing food prices and food insecurity.
In a closed meeting, Putin later told the African leaders that he would only reinstate the initiative if Western countries lifted the restrictions on Russian food and fertiliser exports.
Supportive statement
On Wednesday, the African leaders agreed with Putin. They issued a joint statement calling for “specific steps to remove obstacles to Russian grain and fertiliser exports, thus allowing the resumption of the full implementation of the Black Sea package initiative of the United Nations Secretary-General as endorsed on 22 July 2022 in Istanbul.
“The Leaders also called upon the United Nations to take necessary action in order to release 200 thousand tons of Russian fertiliser blocked in European Union seaports for immediate and free delivery to African countries.”
In September last year, Putin claimed that 300,000 tonnes of Russian fertiliser were blocked in Baltic ports. Last week he said this was 200,000 tonnes. It is not clear why the figure changed. Putin said it made no sense for the EU to prevent the release of the fertiliser as Russia intended giving it away for nothing and so would earn no revenue to support its war effort.
In St Petersburg, Ramaphosa had also called on Putin to start negotiations to end the war. In their statement, the African leaders gave no indication of Putin’s response, but implied it had been negative because they said only that they had agreed “to continue their dialogue on the African Peace Initiative so that a door to peace can be opened”.
They also said that they “recognised progress” on proposals they had discussed with Putin at their meeting on 17 June on humanitarian issues, “in particular, related to the rights of children in areas of armed activities and prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine, and agreed that humanitarian efforts would continue to bring further results”.
They did not explain what progress had been made. At the 17 June meeting, Ramaphosa had called on Putin to repatriate Ukrainian children whom Russia had deported to Russia. It was for these actions that the International Criminal Court had indicted Putin and his children’s rights commissioner, Maria Lvova-Belov, and issued warrants for their arrest in March.
The African leaders of the peace initiative who met Putin on 28 July were President Azali Assoumani of the Comoros, as chair of the African Union; and presidents Ramaphosa, Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of the Congo; Abdel Fattah-el Sisi of Egypt, Macky Sall of Senegal and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, as well as Zambian Foreign Minister Stanley Kakubo. DM
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Will these leaders care to explain to the starving the merits of Putin’s claims, and his destruction of grain and harbour facilities in Ukraine?
I would imagine that Russia’s targeting of the Ukrainian facilities is to pressure the West into conceding ground on the passage of Russian grain and fertilizer. I’m not condoning it, but it’s only started (from memory), since Moscow withdrew from the BSGI. I would have huge reservations regarding Russian ships being allowed to sail freely around the world (Lady R, anyone?), but for the sake of stability in grain prices, especially for the poorest and most vulnerable, it may be a concession that has to be made. A nasty one, but what other choice?
The answer would be to call out Putin’s agenda and realise that supporting him, they are not acting in their citizens interests.
Interests!
Not take sides in a war they have no control over.
Shameful decision of African leaders.
And at a high price.
I do not think the leaders need to explain to anyone of their followers and hence people who voted them into office. It the starving could overthrow colonial forces, they can overthrow tyrants too. Democracy is not only a right, it is a responsibility too and the votahs must take responsibility for their vote.
Oh dear, Cyril, I’m afraid – along with some of the other bulldust you’ve been coming up with recently – that people like me who’ve tried to support you even though our friends and family thought we were mad have finally lost any faith we obviously mistakenly might have had in you for this ridiculous support of Putin. Idiot.
Ditto.
Very wise friends and family you have. cr has been thé master of bullsh1t all his life, especially as an anc member.
Erm, but one of your (I assume) big Nat heroes, Roelf Meyer, said the sun shone out of Cyril’s arse from what I remember.
As an ally of Russia the ANC has effectively increased its circle of friends as Russia has invited North Korea into the gang, as a potential arms supplier.
Of course he does! The spineless and useless Cyril at the beck and call of his master’s voice and paymaster. Who started this unnecessary war – it appears the real cause of all this chaos, murder and destruction is conveniently forgotten. I never thought I would day this – at least with Zuma we knew that we were dealing with an outright thief and crook. On the other hand, Cyril pretends to be something else but in reality is sly, sinister and devoid of any morals, ethics and integrity.
Spot on
Unnecesary war? Tell that to people in eastern Ukraian , who were under attacks since 2014.
Correct, Jana. Not quite what you mean, though. Putin indeed started the early stages of this ‘unnecessary war’ in 2014.
Living in South Africa is like being in a dystopian fantasy these days. On the side of the bad guys, I obvs.
Fertiliser given free?? No my friend, Putin gives nothing for free. What backhanders go to Putin-linked accounts? What influence does this extend to Russian interests in Africa? What support for Putin is expected at international forums?
I wonder if these Putinesque, corruptly wealthy African leaders ever consulted, or even thought about the starving people who might have received lower cost food supplies from Ukraine? This looks like another case of the corrupt friendship club acting on the basis of “as long as our wealth increases who cares about the people”.
Typical, so desperate to remove themselves from their former colonial masters and call out the west, offer themselves up to new less democratic colonial masters while getting the sheep voting for them to believe life is going to get better for them because of this idiocy.
When inevitably things don’t go as planned the begging bowl comes out to the west while at the same time decrying the west and siding with dictators.
Cyril you are a true leader, leading us down the well trod road to ruin. That’s the only skill you have.
Did CR and friend go and see the circumstance of the children captured by the Russians and taken to Russia, did they speak to the victims of this war in Ukraine? They have no conscience or morals, only blind ideological loyalty to Russia. Shame on you CR. Denise Smit
Why would he ? He would prefer to listen to the ‘words’ of a murderer and Novichoker of any opposition to his tyrranical rule … and the disgraceful fawning of a few African ‘leaders’ at his feet As for “opening the doors to peace” … time for thick-skinned CR to realise that that can only happen when Putin stops his ‘invasion’ of a foreign country … and go back to Russia.
Cyril & friends have lost the plot completely.
Oh dear God. The sheer bloody stupidity boggles the mind. Puppet master pulling strings? Not that there ever was doubt about the so-called “non-aligned” policy of SA, but if there was, Ramaphosa just made sure it was sunk beyond rescue. It is embarrassing being South African under this government. (Polite version).
This infuriates me, and I’m shocked to find I have any fury left to spare.
No, we should do *nothing* for Putin. That man is a bully, a war criminal, and a cowardly terrorist. That our leaders are siding with him is despicable.
The next election cannot come soon enough. In the meantime, I’ve signed the DA’s petition on the topic…
It’s easy to solve Russia’s problem. Stop the war, pull back to pre-2014 boundaries, agree to use all blocked Russian funds for Ukrainian reparations and the West will lift the sanctions.
I wonder if our pathetic, knee-bending president and his equally morally-bereft cronies thought of that?
What a waste of time this meeting with Putin has been. Toadying to a ruthless dictator shows Ramaphosa’s true colours. He is there for himself and not the country.
Don’t forget the ANC (let alone the country) … without it he (CR) would be meaningless.
There you have it folks! African leaders are in agreement with global food price increases. Watch them beg the West for more handouts tomorrow (actually later today). Typical!
so here in SA you have a Black president leading a party that threw off the yoke of colonialism, licking the boots of a new White master… they can’t stand a word that the West speaks and love to proclaim their sovereignty , but still go begging for the handouts… AGOA being a case in point. But they just don’t get the irony of it all – and think the rest of us are fools too.
Before one of the elections Trump bragged that he could shoot somebody on Fifth Avenue NY, and still be elected. I wonder if there is anything putin could do that would not be supported by our government?
Yes … Putin could .art … and CR would tell us what wonderful aroma it has !
Hard to add to what is already posted by others, this country is in a dire state led by people who are either incompetent or ignorant, if not both. The number one criteria of our Comrade leaders (sic) is the national interest. That is not getting into bed with a war criminal, who pretends he likes you but behind your back ………., while jeopardizing our links with our main trading partners, the EU, the UK and the USA.
Imagine if the Apartheid Regime could pressure its partners support its call to have sanctions lifted. That autocratic and murdering regime would still be in charge. Now the ANC is doing the same for Russia.
Is the ANC the new National Party? Is this even a question anymore?
I am afraid South Africa’s “elected” leadership has lost all credibility and this adds more fuel to the fire. Self serving statements and laughable decisions will impact the vulnerable more in the long term. The hardships on our country, especially on the poor, are nothing compared to the risks we face should we lose preferential trade agreements like AGOA and the jobs they help sustain. The rest of the world don’t need South Africa to prosper, we need the rest of the world if we have any hope of improving our economy and the lives of all our citizens. The once revered rainbow nations potential, now just a foot note in history, continues it’s death spiral as the next failed African state. The classic “cut of your nose to spite your face” mentality. When there’s nothing left, even Putin will turn his back.
There are none so blind than those that will not see! These leaders don’t seem to realise they’re being led blindly down a path leading to their country’s destruction. Neither Russia or China cares about South Africa or its people – they only care about getting their hands on our resources and Rare Earth metals are what they now need – Africa has millions of tons of it and Zimbabwe has the richest Lithium fields on the continent – CR is merely a pawn in a much bigger game than we realise and the EFF are waiting in the wings to join the ANC in the next rape of our country and it’s taxpayers! Politics is a side game – theft and control is the main event!
We have had nearly 2 years warning to plant enough wheat/Maize/sunflower to get us self sufficient as a country and even across broader SADC – he just needed to guarantee farm gate prices for them to plant – although global spot price liable to be MUCH higher now
Blackmail! Sustained by others because of egoistic self-interests. It is not moral nor ethical to reward the guilty party.
Oh Ramaphosa.
You are a sad excuse for a president.
You “lead” a (once great) party, which has now become just a bunch of depraved and morally bereft, mindless and ignorant theaves.
You have lost the respect and support of all clear thinking South Africans who once believed in you.
You are lost.
This entire narrative is as all over the place as a mad woman’s poo.
Why is freebie fertiliser such a massive bone of contention for Russia?
It’s not trade – according to the official statement.
The fluctuating official numbers are also very problematic;
almost as problematic as the sudden turnaround by the African delegation.
There goes AGOA….
200,000 tonnes of fertilizer is surely just one shipment so Putin wants to give away this but get the ship back which is worth much more. Give him Nothing!
He (Putin) is a lair and colonialist of the first rate. Never has Russian agricultural exports been restricted unless being directly linked to him, his acolytes or derivatives therein. Do you really think all these anti-democratic coup-de’tat in north-west Africa are happening in a vacuum…
Western countries should lift sanctions just as soon as Ramaphosa scraps BEE and all other forms of race based policies that discriminate against whites, coloureds and Indians and allows them to compete equally without any preference for any specific race group for whatever reason. It is totally immoral for current and future generations to be penalised and victimised for historical acts. Ramaphosa also needs to compensate those that were denied the opportunity to enter or advance in the workplace due to so-called positive discrimination policies!
The ANC make me so ashamed to be a South African. Have they no shame?