African countries concerned about food security as Russia-Africa Summit kicks off

According to the Al Jazeera, the Summit has attracted about 17 African leaders, including Ugandan leader, President Museveni.

The war in Ukraine is expected to be at the top of the agenda given that many African countries import wheat from both Ukraine and Russia, a food consumed by the majority on the continent.

The on-going war has disrupted the supply chain of Wheat to the continent, thus creating fears among African leaders that food security on the continent would be no more.

The Summit comes against the backdrop of about six African countries that have tried to act as mediators between Russia and Ukraine.

The countries were led by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who announced the initiative following phone discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Both warring countries applauded Ramaphosa's idea, as did the leaders of Egypt, the Republic of Congo, Senegal, Uganda, and Zambia.

Because of the economic toll of this war, Africa has a special interest in trying to end it.

The continent has faced a surge in prices as fuel and food prices have risen dramatically.

The summit also comes at a time when Uganda is trying to prepare for oil exploration. The country hopes to gain knowledge about oil, which it hopes to implement in its efforts to propel itself from a lower-income country to a middle-income country.