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Ukraine Looking To Strengthen Economic And Diplomatic Relations With Africa- Daria Zarivna

February 23, 2023

By Ajong Mbapndah L [caption id="attachment_105267" align="alignnone" width="828"] The Zelenskyy administration is working to create stronger diplomatic, economic, and social ties with Africa, says Daria Zarivna[/caption]  The Zelenskyy administration is working to create stronger diplomatic, economic, and social ties with Africa, all of which will help ensure long-term prosperity and stability for Africa and Ukraine, says Daria Zarivna, Communications Head at the Office of President Zelenskyy’s Chief of Staff. Fielding questions from PAV, Zarivna says President Zelenskyy has  stressed the importance of deepening areas of trade and working to achieve representation in 30 countries across the continent, with ten states already identified where new Ukrainian embassies will open. With Africa experiencing what some consider its worst drought in 40 years, the Ukrainian government have come up with an ambitious plan to provide provide grain to 5 million people in Africa by delivering up to 60 ships of wheat by mid-2023. “Russia’s war in Ukraine has disrupted Africa’s development and recovery from the pandemic by raising food and fuel prices, disrupting trade of goods, and reducing the flow of finance in the continent. The cooperation of African countries and the influence they may have over the Russia’s aggression in Ukraine will have long term positive consequences for all parties involve,” says Zarivna.  May we start with insights on the situation in your country, how are Ukrainians coping with the war and Russian attacks? Daria Zarivna: Since February 2022, Russia has been attacking Ukrainian cities from different directions with different weapons, killing thousands of people and injuring many more. Some people were forced to flee their homes and loved ones, and others live in fear under constant shelling. Our reality has become a life of hiding in basements and bomb shelters – with no means of livelihood left. However, we remain brave, determined, and united. The Ukrainian people continue to show incredible strength and resilience, while they fight for their integrity and sovereignty. We have gained incredible support from the international community, our partners in the EU and the West, as well as the humanitarians who continue to work collectively in aid of Ukraine and its people. For us, victory is just a matter of time. Prior to the war what was the nature of ties between Ukraine and Africa, and what impact has the war had on these ties? Daria Zarivna: Historically, Ukraine’s ties with Africa have been focused on economic cooperation and mutual collaboration, much less so in terms of political alliance and diplomatic relations. But now more than ever, Ukraine’s potential partnerships with African countries is so important to help increase international pressure on Russia and to allow Ukraine to continue to export its grain and support the continents ongoing battle with food security. As the war erupted in Ukraine, the world witnessed one of the most valuable grain corridors close off, plummeting the global food supply and deepening the food security crisis. According to the latest World Food Programme (WFP) report, an all-time high of 970,000 people are facing catastrophic levels of famine in Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Somalia – ten times more than five years ago. Ukraine is looking to strengthen its economic and diplomatic relations with Africa. President Zelenskyy stressed the importance of deepening areas of trade and working to achieve representation in 30 countries across the continent, with ten states already identified where new Ukrainian embassies will open. Ukraine offers many opportunities for cooperation with Africa, from agriculture to some food products, which could help facilitate a stronger socio-economic tie between both nations. With all the challenges that Ukraine is facing what prompted President Zelensky to launch the “Grain from Ukraine” humanitarian programme? Daria Zarivna: Ukraine, known as the breadbasket of Europe, has significant global market share by volume of several vital foodstuffs including corn (16,2%), wheat (11,6%), barley (17,6%) and sunflower oil (50%). While the country remains a victim of an illegal war, struggling with food shortages, devastated farmland, and widespread blackouts, we will never forget our role as a responsible global citizen – especially having experienced famine as a nation ourselves, when millions of Ukrainians starved to death in a famine from 1932-1933. Africa is in desperate need of food and Ukraine stands ready to support vulnerable people in their hour of need. The programme will not only help nations on the brink of starvation but will also help Ukraine shift vast stores of food supplies stuck in our warehouses, which has not been able to be exported overseas due to a blockade imposed by the Russian armed forces. Through this initiative, the Ukrainian government also aims to assist one of our own economic backbones – our farmers – in addition to strengthening local food systems and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. By destroying traditional supply chains, Russia has brought at least 70 million people around the world closer to starvation. Over USD 200 million in donations has been raised for the Grain from Ukraine programme so far, where are the donations coming from? Daria Zarivna: The programme is supported by a number of international partners that are subsidizing the grain. Several EU countries, as well as the US, Canada, Great Britain, Norway, Japan, Korea, and Qatar have contributed to the Grain from Ukraine programme. We are in ongoing discussions with additional partners to garner their support and continue to provide relief to societies that need it the most. How was the mood like with the Zelenskyy Administration with recent arrival of Grain from Ukraine Ship in Djibouti? Daria Zarivna: The ship arrived at the port carrying 30,000 tonnes of grains, which will be stored in Djibouti before being dispatched to Ethiopia. This is extremely encouraging as we aim to ensure the safe transportation of grain and agricultural products through Ukrainian ports to Africa to prevent famine across the continent’s most vulnerable countries. Africa is experiencing the worst drought in 40 years, with millions of people in need for food relief. How long is the grain from Ukraine program expected to last and when criteria will be used in selecting beneficiary countries? Daria Zarivna: The Ukraine government is very ambitious – we aim to provide grain to 5 million people in Africa by delivering up to 60 ships of wheat by mid-2023. The programme is in partnership with the UN World Food Programme (WFP) who are supporting us in finding out which countries need help and what kind of grain specification they need. We then assess the country’s readiness to receive the grain and its ability to distribute fairly and responsibly on the ground. The ships undergo a specific process of inspection, monitoring and surveillance from the beginning of the process (loading the grain) until the end of the trip (docking and distribution). [caption id="attachment_105268" align="alignnone" width="1024"] The Ukraine government aims to provide grain to 5 million people in Africa by delivering up to 60 ships of wheat by mid-2023, Daria Zarivna[/caption] Former President of Malawi Joyce Banda, Dr Christopher Fomunyoh and Dr Oby Ezekwesili are prominent African Names accompanying the initiative, may we know their specific role? Daria Zarivna: The Ambassadors are a part of a new International Coordination Group for the Prevention of Hunger (ICGPH), who directly influence the provision of food needs of millions of people around the world. The ICGPH hopes to build international support for the Ukrainian agricultural industry, protect cultivated areas, maintain production, and strengthen supply chains. It also hopes to source international customers who can guarantee the purchase of Ukrainian agricultural products. They assist the Ukrainian government in attracting more partners for the programme, as well as raise the programme’s visibility in Africa, while ensuring the smooth receiving and distribution of Ukrainian wheat to Africa’s most vulnerable societies. Are there any conditions or expectations from African countries that benefit from the Grain from Ukraine initiative? Daria Zarivna:None at all – our only aim is to support African countries battling the severe food insecurity crisis, while providing relief to the world’s most vulnerable societies on the brink of famine. In what way do you think African countries could be of help in resolving the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and how does the Zelenskyy Administration envisage the future of ties with Africa? Daria Zarivna: Russia’s war in Ukraine has disrupted Africa’s development and recovery from the pandemic by raising food and fuel prices, disrupting trade of goods, and reducing the flow of finance in the continent. The cooperation of African countries and the influence they may have over the Russia’s aggression in Ukraine will have long term positive consequences for all parties involved. The global food security crisis is a core part of the peaceful plan suggested by Ukraine. The Zelenskyy administration is working to create stronger diplomatic, economic, and social ties with Africa, all of which will help ensure long-term prosperity and stability for both.   ***  

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