03:05A ship carrying 25,000 tonnes of grain from Russia arrived in Somalia's Mogadishu on Thursday, November 30, constituting the first shipment of gratis food aid that the Russian government had promised for the African continent.
Footage shows the cargo ship docked at Mogadishu harbour, as well as the handover ceremony attended by Minister of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation of Somalia Ahmed Maalim Fiqi and Ambassador of Russia to Djibouti and Somalia Mikhail Golovanov.
Minister Ahmed Maalim Fiqi expressed his gratitude to the Russian government and to President Vladimir Putin 'for their acknowledgment of Somalia's dire situation'.
"The country is currently facing devastating floods that have destroyed cities and bridges, affecting 2.5 million people, with 1.1 million being displaced and at least 100 fatalities. It is a significant gesture to provide donations reaching 25 [thousand] tonnes of grains, which will be distributed in 500,000 sacks weighing 50 kilograms each. This contribution will undoubtedly make a significant impact on the affected population," said Fiqi.
In turn, Ambassador Golovanov stated that Russia was 'seriously concerned' by the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Somalia.
"Such a situation is worrisome for the Russian leadership, given the military and political situation in the Federal Republic of Somalia, which is at a critical moment in its history. <…> Russia will continue to support Somalia on key issues on the national agenda, including state-building, counter-terrorism and strengthening dialogue between the federal centre and the Somali states," said Golovanov.
The Russian diplomat also noted that another shipment of 25,000 tonnes of grain from Russia was expected to arrive in Somalia in December.
The media reported that the grain was handed over to the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) to be distributed among the population of Somalia.
On November 8, the Russian Federal Customs Service released footage of 25,000 tonnes of grain being loaded onto a cargo ship in the port of Novorossiysk.
On August 22, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow would deliver 25,000-50,000 tonnes of grain to six African countries free of charge, during a video address to the BRICS Business Forum on the sidelines of the 15th summit in Johannesburg.
Russia's initiative was launched after the Black Sea Grain agreements, signed in Istanbul in July 2022 between representatives of Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Nations, expired on July 17.
That agreement allowed for the export of both Ukrainian grain and Russian food and fertilisers, although Moscow repeatedly insisted the latter part of the deal was not being implemented.
The Russian Foreign Ministry claimed that 'the blatant sabotage' of the Istanbul agreements 'defeats the purpose of continuing the Black Sea Initiative which did not live up to its humanitarian rationale', while Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov said that it could return 'as soon as the Russian part is implemented'.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Kiev was determined 'to continue the work of the Black Sea Grain Initiative or its counterpart in a tripartite format'.
While Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in July that he believed the Russian leader 'wants the continuation of this humanitarian bridge', on November 8, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that UN efforts to revive the grain deal were failing, with Russia’s 'part of the package <…> absolutely down at zero level'.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also admitted it would be 'difficult' to resume the agreement on the safe export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea.
Moscow launched a military offensive in Ukraine in late February 2022 after recognising the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR), claiming that Kiev had failed to guarantee their special status under the 2014 Minsk Agreements, and urging Ukraine to declare itself officially neutral and give assurances that it would never join NATO.
Kiev denounced the Russian action as an invasion. Zelensky imposed martial law throughout the country, announcing a general mobilisation, while the EU and the US imposed several rounds of sanctions on Moscow.
'Significant gesture' - Somalia's interior minister on first grain shipment from Russia
A ship carrying 25,000 tonnes of grain from Russia arrived in Somalia's Mogadishu on Thursday, November 30, constituting the first shipment of gratis food aid that the Russian government had promised for the African continent.
Footage shows the cargo ship docked at Mogadishu harbour, as well as the handover ceremony attended by Minister of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation of Somalia Ahmed Maalim Fiqi and Ambassador of Russia to Djibouti and Somalia Mikhail Golovanov.
Minister Ahmed Maalim Fiqi expressed his gratitude to the Russian government and to President Vladimir Putin 'for their acknowledgment of Somalia's dire situation'.
"The country is currently facing devastating floods that have destroyed cities and bridges, affecting 2.5 million people, with 1.1 million being displaced and at least 100 fatalities. It is a significant gesture to provide donations reaching 25 [thousand] tonnes of grains, which will be distributed in 500,000 sacks weighing 50 kilograms each. This contribution will undoubtedly make a significant impact on the affected population," said Fiqi.
In turn, Ambassador Golovanov stated that Russia was 'seriously concerned' by the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Somalia.
"Such a situation is worrisome for the Russian leadership, given the military and political situation in the Federal Republic of Somalia, which is at a critical moment in its history. <…> Russia will continue to support Somalia on key issues on the national agenda, including state-building, counter-terrorism and strengthening dialogue between the federal centre and the Somali states," said Golovanov.
The Russian diplomat also noted that another shipment of 25,000 tonnes of grain from Russia was expected to arrive in Somalia in December.
The media reported that the grain was handed over to the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) to be distributed among the population of Somalia.
On November 8, the Russian Federal Customs Service released footage of 25,000 tonnes of grain being loaded onto a cargo ship in the port of Novorossiysk.
On August 22, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow would deliver 25,000-50,000 tonnes of grain to six African countries free of charge, during a video address to the BRICS Business Forum on the sidelines of the 15th summit in Johannesburg.
Russia's initiative was launched after the Black Sea Grain agreements, signed in Istanbul in July 2022 between representatives of Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Nations, expired on July 17.
That agreement allowed for the export of both Ukrainian grain and Russian food and fertilisers, although Moscow repeatedly insisted the latter part of the deal was not being implemented.
The Russian Foreign Ministry claimed that 'the blatant sabotage' of the Istanbul agreements 'defeats the purpose of continuing the Black Sea Initiative which did not live up to its humanitarian rationale', while Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov said that it could return 'as soon as the Russian part is implemented'.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Kiev was determined 'to continue the work of the Black Sea Grain Initiative or its counterpart in a tripartite format'.
While Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in July that he believed the Russian leader 'wants the continuation of this humanitarian bridge', on November 8, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that UN efforts to revive the grain deal were failing, with Russia’s 'part of the package <…> absolutely down at zero level'.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also admitted it would be 'difficult' to resume the agreement on the safe export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea.
Moscow launched a military offensive in Ukraine in late February 2022 after recognising the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR), claiming that Kiev had failed to guarantee their special status under the 2014 Minsk Agreements, and urging Ukraine to declare itself officially neutral and give assurances that it would never join NATO.
Kiev denounced the Russian action as an invasion. Zelensky imposed martial law throughout the country, announcing a general mobilisation, while the EU and the US imposed several rounds of sanctions on Moscow.
A ship carrying 25,000 tonnes of grain from Russia arrived in Somalia's Mogadishu on Thursday, November 30, constituting the first shipment of gratis food aid that the Russian government had promised for the African continent.
Footage shows the cargo ship docked at Mogadishu harbour, as well as the handover ceremony attended by Minister of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation of Somalia Ahmed Maalim Fiqi and Ambassador of Russia to Djibouti and Somalia Mikhail Golovanov.
Minister Ahmed Maalim Fiqi expressed his gratitude to the Russian government and to President Vladimir Putin 'for their acknowledgment of Somalia's dire situation'.
"The country is currently facing devastating floods that have destroyed cities and bridges, affecting 2.5 million people, with 1.1 million being displaced and at least 100 fatalities. It is a significant gesture to provide donations reaching 25 [thousand] tonnes of grains, which will be distributed in 500,000 sacks weighing 50 kilograms each. This contribution will undoubtedly make a significant impact on the affected population," said Fiqi.
In turn, Ambassador Golovanov stated that Russia was 'seriously concerned' by the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Somalia.
"Such a situation is worrisome for the Russian leadership, given the military and political situation in the Federal Republic of Somalia, which is at a critical moment in its history. <…> Russia will continue to support Somalia on key issues on the national agenda, including state-building, counter-terrorism and strengthening dialogue between the federal centre and the Somali states," said Golovanov.
The Russian diplomat also noted that another shipment of 25,000 tonnes of grain from Russia was expected to arrive in Somalia in December.
The media reported that the grain was handed over to the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) to be distributed among the population of Somalia.
On November 8, the Russian Federal Customs Service released footage of 25,000 tonnes of grain being loaded onto a cargo ship in the port of Novorossiysk.
On August 22, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow would deliver 25,000-50,000 tonnes of grain to six African countries free of charge, during a video address to the BRICS Business Forum on the sidelines of the 15th summit in Johannesburg.
Russia's initiative was launched after the Black Sea Grain agreements, signed in Istanbul in July 2022 between representatives of Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Nations, expired on July 17.
That agreement allowed for the export of both Ukrainian grain and Russian food and fertilisers, although Moscow repeatedly insisted the latter part of the deal was not being implemented.
The Russian Foreign Ministry claimed that 'the blatant sabotage' of the Istanbul agreements 'defeats the purpose of continuing the Black Sea Initiative which did not live up to its humanitarian rationale', while Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov said that it could return 'as soon as the Russian part is implemented'.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Kiev was determined 'to continue the work of the Black Sea Grain Initiative or its counterpart in a tripartite format'.
While Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in July that he believed the Russian leader 'wants the continuation of this humanitarian bridge', on November 8, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that UN efforts to revive the grain deal were failing, with Russia’s 'part of the package <…> absolutely down at zero level'.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also admitted it would be 'difficult' to resume the agreement on the safe export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea.
Moscow launched a military offensive in Ukraine in late February 2022 after recognising the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR), claiming that Kiev had failed to guarantee their special status under the 2014 Minsk Agreements, and urging Ukraine to declare itself officially neutral and give assurances that it would never join NATO.
Kiev denounced the Russian action as an invasion. Zelensky imposed martial law throughout the country, announcing a general mobilisation, while the EU and the US imposed several rounds of sanctions on Moscow.