By Ayo Jones
United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres is scheduled to meet President Muhammadu Buhari and civil society representatives on May 3 and 4, 2022 to discuss the impact of the war in Ukraine as it affects the African continent.
The UN boss is expected to visit Senegal for an official visit on May 1 and 2, Niger until May 3 before finishing his tour in Nigeria on May 3 and 4.
The visit would be to highlight the consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the African continent, the UN said on Friday.
In Senegal, he would take part in a traditional Ramadan sunset meal with President Macky Sall, the current chairperson of the African Union, UN deputy spokesman, Farhan Haq, said at a daily press briefing.
During his tour, Guterres would also hold talks with Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum and his Nigerian counterpart, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).
In all three countries, the UN chief would meet with civil society representatives and religious leaders as well, the spokesman said.
Talks had also been planned with victims of violence, instability, and terrorism in the Sahel.
The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation warned earlier in April that the disruption to exports resulting from the February 24 invasion, coupled with the international sanctions on Russia, had spurred fears of a global hunger crisis.
The FAO estimated famine in West Africa and the Sahel regions both highly dependent on Russian and Ukrainian grains could worsen and affect over 38 million people by June if no measures were taken.
* With Agency Reports