DURING the Russia-Africa Summit 2023 that was held in July in the majestic city of St Petersburg – named after the major historical Russian figure Alexander the Great, President Vladimir Putin made a surprise announcement of a free supply of grain to at least six poverty-stricken countries in Africa.
The significance of the announcement was not merely on the extent of Russia’s generosity to the African continent. Putin made the announcement in the wake of a barrage of unprecedented economic sanctions imposed by the West on his country following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.
I still count myself extremely fortunate to have been able to attend the
