JUBA – South Sudan’s prominent civil society activist Edmund Yakani has welcomed the pledge by the Ukrainian government to send food aid to some African countries facing acute and severe hunger after raising funds from EU states.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday said his government intends to dispatch around 60 ships to African nations in need of urgent food aid such as Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia and Yemen.

“We plan to send at least 60 ships from Ukrainian ports to the countries most threatened by famine and drought,” said the Ukrainian president.

Zelensky said he had raised $150 million from more than 20 countries and the European Union to export food to Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia and Yemen.

In a video message broadcast during the summit, French President Emmanuel Macron promised €6 million in additional aid for Ukrainian grain exports, which are vital for supplying many African and Asian countries.

The French president also recalled the “immense tragedy” of the famine of the 1930s.

“From yesterday to today, the Ukrainian nation shows its determination and forces our admiration. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine (…) threatens the world with a food crisis,” Macron said.

In a statement reacting to the news, Yakani who is the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) welcomed the decision of the Ukrainian government and praised the Ukrainian people for standing in solidarity with people in African despite the Russian invasion.

“CEPO appreciates the Ukrainian president on matters of the food insecurity. It is impressive that with all negative military behaviors of Russian on Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky was able to take these remarkable decisions of addressing food insecurity in some African countries like our South Sudan and others,” he said.

The South Sudanese activist further decried power struggles in Africa which he said are to be blamed for the violent conflicts which have resulted in the ongoing conflicts in several African countries such as Ethiopia and South Sudan.

“The targeted African countries are all violent conflict states. The food insecurity experienced in the target countries was a result of violent conflict caused by their political elites. It is shame to leaders of these countries to continue fighting senseless wars that lead to food insecurity which is to be addressed by Ukraine which is facing serious imposed war by aggressive nation Russia,” Yakani said.

“The food assistance expected from Ukraine should act as remainder to the African countries facing the violent armed political wars like our country South Sudan. The food insecurity in African was mainly due to senseless violence,” Yakani stressed.

The prominent South Sudan activist who has previously called for end to conflicts in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia further called on the targeted African countries including his own South Sudan to stop conflicts to avoid further suffering of these countries’ citizens.

“Finally, CEPO is urging the war-hit African states to stop the armed violence like in South Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia,” he added. - Sudans Post

Photo Courtesy Microsoft Start 

Royal expert Jennie Bond has exclusively told OK! that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle accepting the Ripple of Hope award is a "rude and hurtful dig" at the Royal Family. 

The royal couple, who are to be honoured with the prestigious human rights award next month, are being handed the honour for standing up against "structural racism" in the Royal Family.

But Jennie has now criticised them for accepting the award, exclusively telling OK! that it's "another dig" at the institution.

"Meghan and Harry receiving this award makes me feel quite queasy, actually. I think that accepting this award by definition accuses the Royal Family of racism yet again - structural racism this time."

"It's another dig at the family, the Queen and now The King, a head of a Commonwealth of Nations where the huge majority are people of colour, have, like a lot of firms, had to address the structure of the institution, and they are working hard on improving diversity.

"Yes, there is always room for improvement, and they're aware of that. So, I don't get Meghan and Harry's behaviour at all."

She continued: "They welcomed Meghan, who has dual heritage, into the family. They welcomed her mother, Doria, and showed her the utmost courtesy at the wedding and in photographs alongside the Queen and Archie."

 

Jennie Bond thinks the pair accepting the award is a© OK!/Lorna Roach/Photo Courtesy

"So, I just think that accepting this award is another open declaration that they believe Meghan was treated in a racist way."

 

"It's really hurtful and a very rude presumption. I don't believe there is structured racism in the Royal Family. This very public accusation is a huge kick in the teeth for them again."

She added: "It's very brazen of them to have accepted the award. I understand that there are limited options of what you can do after being presented with an honorary award . Should they have refused it? Or say it's not appropriate? It's hard to say, but overall, it's a really sad situation."

Harry and Meghan stepped down from their royal duties back in March 2020, shortly before a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey.

They will accept their award at a gala organised by the the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights foundation, which honours "exemplary leaders" who have shown "an unwavering commitment" to social change.

Previous winners of the Ripple of Hope award include former US presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, as well as Hillary Clinton and Al Gore.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is also set to be honoured at the event next month. By Kirstie Sutherland & Rhianna Benson, Microsoft Start