Grain Ambassador Fomunyoh Lauds Ukraine’s Support to Africa and The World Amid Devastation

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

BUEA, Cameroon – Dr Christopher Fomunyoh Senior Associate for Africa, Regional Director and Special Adviser to the President at the National Democratic Institute and goodwill Ambassador for Ukraine’s Grain from Ukraine initiative has lauded the support of Ukraine to Africa and the world at large despite the ongoing war in the country that has severely disrupted agricultural infrastructure and export routes, including the key seaport of Odesa in the Black Sea.

Speaking after attending the Third International Grain from Ukraine Conference held in Kyiv, Ukraine on food security, Dr Fomunyoh emphasized both the dire consequences of the war and Ukraine’s commitment to mitigating its effects. Fomunyoh highlighted that Ukraine, once the fifth-largest global grain producer, previously fed over 400 million people annually.

“People are right to be concerned as they witness Ukraine’s agricultural infrastructure being destroyed,” Dr Fomunyoh said. Despite these challenges, he expressed optimism about Ukraine’s efforts to sustain grain exports through alternative routes with support from friendly nations.

The Grain from Ukraine initiative launched two years ago, has provided vital humanitarian aid to countries most affected by food insecurity due to conflict or climate conditions. "The grain delivered through this initiative comes at no cost to recipient countries, focusing on populations at the greatest risk," Dr Fomunyoh explained.

So far, the initiative has impacted 20 million people in vulnerable regions, including Yemen, Gaza, Ethiopia, and Sudan. During the summit, President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized Ukraine's readiness to support African, Latin American, and Asian countries, not only through grain supplies but also by sharing agricultural technology. This commitment is reflected in Ukraine's recent opening of seven new embassies in Africa, aiming to strengthen ties and counter Russian influence.

In his address, President Zelensky lauded the program as one of Ukraine’s most symbolic initiatives. “This program is working successfully and will continue to expand,” he said, thanking all partner countries and organizations that have contributed to its achievements.

Fomunyoh noted, "President Zelensky took time to engage openly with journalists from Africa and Latin America, signaling Ukraine's eagerness to build meaningful partnerships with the Global South."

Dr Fomunyoh acknowledged the economic strain the conflict imposes on countries far from the battlefield. Listeners from Sierra Leone, for instance, have expressed frustration over the war's impact on food prices and economic stability. "There's a clear tension between the global desire for peace and Ukraine's stance against territorial concessions to Russia," he observed.

Ukraine’s agricultural recovery faces significant hurdles, including occupied farmland, mined territories, and restricted Black Sea export routes. “Without reclaiming its agricultural lands and restoring export capabilities, a ceasefire alone cannot resolve the global food security crisis,” Dr Fomunyoh cautioned.

President Zelensky condemned the Russian invasion, which began with a blockade of Ukrainian ports, disrupting food supply chains and driving up global food prices. He accused Russia of weaponizing hunger to exert influence over nations dependent on food imports, particularly in Africa and Asia.

“Solely during the operation of the food export corridor in our Black Sea – from July of last year to this month – 321 infrastructure facilities in our ports have been damaged by Russian missiles and Iranian drones. More than 20 civilian vessels were also damaged, including those from other countries,” Zelensky revealed.

He described the war as a stark reminder of global interdependence, stating, “Food prices in Egypt, Libya, Nigeria, and other countries depend directly on Ukraine’s ability to function. The speed at which we can clear our fields of Russian mines determines how quickly the food market can stabilize.”

The Grain from Ukraine initiative continues to stand out as a testament to Ukraine’s resolve to be a force for good amidst adversity, bridging gaps and addressing the urgent needs of food-insecure populations worldwide.