UN chief to visit West Africa, spotlight Ukraine conflict impact

The United Nations announced Friday that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will travel to several West African countries beginning this weekend to emphasize the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the African continent.

Following visits to Russia and Ukraine this week, Guterres is scheduled to arrive in Senegal on Saturday evening for an official visit on May 1 and 2.

He’ll then spend until May 3 in Niger before concluding his visit in Nigeria on May 3 and 4.

In Senegal, he will 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 will also hold talks with Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum and his Nigerian counterpart Muhammadu Buhari.

In all three countries, the UN chief will meet with civil society representatives and religious leaders as well, the spokesman said.

Talks are also planned with victims of violence, instability and terrorism in the Sahel.

Concerns over the wider impacts of the war in Ukraine have been especially acute in the Middle East and Africa, where knock-on effects were already playing out.

The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization 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 believes that hunger in West Africa and the Sahel region, both of which are heavily reliant on Russian and Ukrainian grains, will increase and afflict over 38 million people by June If no action is taken,