Russia actively favors one of its allies, Mali

Russia is supplying wheat to Mali, strengthening ties with one of Africa's strongest allies. According to Bloomberg, news of the shipment came days after Russia terminated an agreement that allowed Ukraine, one of the world's largest wheat producers, to export grain from Black Sea ports. African countries were among those most affected by the rise in food prices caused by the Russian invasion. A consignment of 50,000 tons of grain destined for Mali arrived from Russia at the port of Conakry in Guinea about a month ago, Malian Foreign Ministry official Alfusseini Sidibe said by phone from the capital, Bamako. "The wheat has been sold to five different mills. Another batch of 25,000 tons is in Conakry and should arrive in Bamako soon," said Malian Flour Mills Association representative Salif Fofana. Wheat was delivered to Mali at a price of around $220 per tonne, well below European grain prices, which currently stand at around $292 per tonne. Mali was one of six countries that ...