By John Ikani
Chairman of the African Union (AU) and President of Senegal, Macky Sall has said he will visit Russia and Ukraine in his capacity as chair of the continental union.
Speaking at a joint conference with visiting German Chancellor Olaf Sholz, Mr Sall said he had received the mandate of other AU heads of state to make the trips.
According to him, Africa was keen to see peace through dialogue between Ukraine and Russia.
The visit is expected to be of great interest to Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy who had weeks ago expressed the need to communicate with African heads of state.
It is worthwhile to note that the restoration of peace between the conflicting neighbours will forestall catastrophic food insecurity on the African continent occasioned by cut off supplies of grain and cooking oil from the region.
The conflict has seen rising food prices. Global fuel prices have also risen as a result, adding the cost burden to many countries.
