Ukraine: a long-awaited speech by Zelensky before the African Union

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyev this Friday, June 17, 2022. AP

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Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the African Union this Monday, June 20 in the afternoon.

From kyiv, the Ukrainian president will challenge the office of the AU conference, as well as the African ambassadors accredited to the institution.

This is the first time that the Ukrainian head of state has spoken to the AU, while current President Macky Sall visited Russia recently.

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With our correspondent in Addis Ababa,

Noé Hochet-Bodin

Two and a half months ago, during a call with Senegalese President Macky Sall, Volodymyr Zelensky had already expressed the wish to speak to the African Union.

His wish will come true at the beginning of the afternoon, this Monday.

His videoconference will indeed be projected in front of the African ambassadors gathered at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa.

Nothing filters through on the content of his speech, but the Ukrainian leader will try to mobilize the countries of the continent, especially after April 7, the date of the vote to suspend Russia before the Human Rights Council of the UN, where half of the African States had abstained.

►Read also: In an interview with the JDD, Macky Sall clarifies his position on Ukraine

But President Zelensky does not arrive on conquered ground.

He had drawn the wrath of the AU at the start of the conflict.

The institution had described as " 

shocking and racist 

" any "

 different treatment 

" reserved for African nationals stranded in Ukraine.

Another concern of the Member States, the supply of cereals and fertilizers.

Macky Sall asked Volodymyr Zelensky ten days ago to demine the port of Odessa to allow the export of Ukrainian wheat.

A remark already swept away by kyiv, which fears a Russian invasion by the Black Sea. 

In the wake of his speech, President Macky Sall must present the report of his visit to Russia to the African Union.

He had publicly said he was reassured after his meeting with Vladimir Putin.

All of our daily, live coverage of the war in Ukraine.

© FMM Graphic Studio

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