Delivery Of Russian Fertilizer Blocked In Europe, Africa Urges UN To Give Permits

JAKARTA - Seven leaders of African and Russian countries urged the United Nations to take action to release shipments of 200 thousand tons of Russian fertilizer held back in European ports in order to be sent to Africa on Friday, August 4.

In a joint statement, published on the Kremlin website, the presidents of Komoro, Congo, Egypt, Russia, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia "condemn special measures to eliminate export barriers to Russian grains and fertilizers, allowing the continuation of the full implementation of the Black Sea initiative."

"The leaders also asked the United Nations to take the necessary measures to release 200 thousand tons of Russian fertilizer blocked in the European Union port to be sent for free to African countries," he said.

In the statement, they also mentioned the African peace initiative which will continue for "opening the door to peace."

In June, African leaders visited Russia and Ukraine in a bid to end the war, which has been going on since February 2022.

Discussions on Africa's peace initiative were also discussed on the sidelines of Russia-Africa's 2nd summit held in St. Petersburg on 27-28 July.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously promised to supply the seeds for free to Africa after Moscow decided to withdraw from the Black Sea seed deal.

Moscow suspended participation in the agreement because there are some of their demands that have not yet been met, namely removing barriers to Russia's fertilizer exports and returning Russian agricultural banks to the SWIFT international payment system.