Senegalese President and African Union (AU) Chairman Macky Sall shook hands with the smiling Vladimir Putin before sitting down to discuss the war in Ukraine with him.
The scene, Friday in Sochi on the 100th day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, marked a significant step in Sall’s efforts to strengthen Africa’s global political status.
A large part of humanity is very attentive to what is happening in Ukraine, says Macky Sall, referring to the need to free up grain and fertilizer stocks.
” I came to see you to ask you to realize that our country, though far from the theater [de la guerre]is a victim of this economic crisis. “
Four months into his one -year term as President ofAUthis diplomatic mission is just one of the ambitious initiatives launched by the Senegalese leader on the international scene.
He also called for the provision of two permanent seats in Africa on the UN Security Council.UNbegged forAU Join in G20 and requested reform ofOECD to extend the duration of loans to African countries.
Mr. is training. Sall good leadership to ensure that the voice of the African continent is heardsaid Alioune Tine, founder of the Afrikajom Center think tank in Dakar.
Mr. Sall’s mission in Europe was not yet doneaccording to him. Europeans usually took part in African wars. Now, if Africans are intervening, that is a good thing.
A dozen countries in Africa, including Senegal, rely on Russia and Ukraine for at least half of their wheat imports, according to CAM.
Some countries in Africa are feeling the combined impact of delayed grain exports and rising fuel prices.
At a recent press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Sall said that African countries are deeply divided in the Ukrainian conflict. He repeated the call for a ceasefire.
We want peace even if we condemn aggression [russe]he said, although he himself was reluctant to explicitly condemn the Russian aggression.
Senegal abstained on March 2 in a vote of the General AssemblyUN magdemand that Russia immediately stopped using force against Ukraine.
The country then voted for a second resolution on March 24 calling for Russia to end the war immediately.
Nearly half of African countries abstained or did not vote on both votes.
Russia entered Africa through military alliances and arms agreements.
In 2019, Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted dozens of African leaders in Sochi in a bid to re-assert Russia’s influence on the continent.
Mr. Sall, who was invited by Russia on Friday, also spoke with Mr. Putin on the phone on March 9. On April 11, he spoke on the phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
L ‘AU should arrange a video address with Mr. Zelensky after the Sall-Putin meeting.
Saturday, Mr. Sall must participate in a summit of ECOWAS in Accra.
He was also invited to the next summit of G7 in Germany.
President Sall’s goals are highly ambitious […] but he could not reform theUNThe G20 and theOECD in six monthssaid Ibrahim Nyei, a researcher based in Liberia.
In a recent speech to Africa’s young leaders, Mr Sall said he wanted two permanent African seats on the Security Council – or a policy reform so that a country could not veto decisions. He estimated that African issues make up 70% of the Council’s business.
Africa that matters over a billion inhabitants there must be something to sayestimated Mbaye Babacar Diop, a Dakar -based consultant.
Maintaining close ties with France and the United States, as well as relations with China, Israel, Iran and Saudi Arabia, Senegal maintains one of the most dynamic diplomats in Africa.
But Senegal has experienced domestic crises in the four months since the reins were cutAU.
Last week, a fire at a hospital in the town of Tivaouane killed 11 newborn babies, forcing Mr Sall to cut off his attendance at an African summit to go home.
His opponents fear he will take advantage of the constitutional changes approved in 2016 to argue that the two -term presidential limit does not apply and will run for a third term in 2024.
Those fears contributed to the anger expressed in the protests in March 2021, the worst in years. Mr Sall said he would announce his decision after the July legislative election.
Macky Hall the Senegalese should not neglect the problems, he should not neglect the problems of Africa, he should not neglect the problems of the world, he should do everything at oncesaid Mr. Diop.
Source: Radio-Canada
