#Senegal : The Chairman of the African Union, the Senegalese Macky Sall, on Sunday asked German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for his country’s help in the face of the effects of the war in Ukraine on the continent, and indicated that he would soon go to kyiv and Moscow.
The German Chancellor, whose visit to Senegal, Niger and then South Africa until Tuesday promised to be placed under the sign of the war in Ukraine, arrived in a continent «very divided» on the issue, in the words of Sall.
The dispute «affects us»but takes place «on another continent»said Sall. «For Africa we want peace»he added.
«We want peace even if we condemn the invasion»he said more explicitly than in the past, «we are working so that there is a de-escalation». He called for a ceasefire, dialogue and «a just peace for Ukraine, for Russia too».
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Senegal, with strong relations with Western countries, surprised on March 2 by abstaining from a UN General Assembly vote in favor of a resolution that demanded «that Russia immediately stop using force once morest Ukraine».
On the other hand, Senegal had voted on March 24 a second resolution requiring Russia to immediately end the war.
Almost half of African countries abstained or did not vote in both votes.
“Solidarity”
The war is hard hitting African economies. The international community is concerned regarding the risk of famine. Senegal, like other African countries, is heavily dependent on wheat imports from Ukraine and Russia.
«As Chairman-in-Office of the African Union, I have expressed to the Chancellor our serious concerns regarding the impact of the war on our countries, African countries, the widespread price spikes and shortages», Sall said.
«I plead for… that our multilateral and bilateral partners accompany us»he said.
Sall said he had received a mandate from the African Union to visit Russia and Ukraine.
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The trip, originally scheduled for May 18, might not take place «for timing reasons»and he offered new dates that have yet to be set, he reported.
The African Union has also accepted a meeting of heads of state from the continent who so wish with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his request, he said without specifying the format.
«This too will be done in the coming weeks.»he added.
Scholz, while castigating the «war of aggression» led by Russia, asserted the need to show «solidarity» of Africa, underlined the risk of «new homes» crisis and the danger of hunger.
Germany will continue to support countries that lack food and will continue to «actively engage so that we can still export grain from Ukraine»he said.
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«Otherwise the danger is great that many countries in the world will have the greatest difficulty in feeding their population; this must not leave us indifferent, this does not leave us indifferent and we will do all we can»he promised.
The two leaders said they also discussed the crisis in the Sahel, near Senegal, where the two countries are engaged with soldiers, and the strengthening of their economic exchanges.