The “Can-boy” Association of Liberia on Saturday, March 30, 2024, presented a petition to the Government of Liberia through Vice President Honorable Jeremiah Koung over the recent prohibition of combustible petroleum products in jars.

“Can-boys” are Petty traders who sell diesel fuel and gasoline in mayonnaise jars on various street corners in Monrovia and its environs.

The inter-governmental task force issued the prohibition recently with police carrying out raids to curb the illegal trade and clean the streets.

The Association’s President, Bobby Grewe in the petition requested the intervention of  VP Koung over their eviction while appealing for more time to have them finally relocate from the streets.

He further proposed the establishment of a mini-mobile exchange both along the streets and in other parts of Liberia for their use as part of a strategy to address the issue of illegal trade and keep the city clean.

In response, the Liberian Vice President applauded the Association for peacefully submitting a petition to the government through his office. He recognized the contribution of “Can-boys” to the country’s economy while assuring that their concerns would be reviewed by the government.

Vice President Koung according to a release then admonished the group to remain peaceful as the Government looked into their concerns. Vice President Koung maintained that the intent of the inter-governmental task force is not to go after Liberians who are struggling but to ensure the safety of the environment and keep it clean for the citizens.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of Liberia: Executive Mansion.

Sri Lanka has identified potential areas of cooperation with Somalia as it lies on the crossroads of international maritime and global sea trade, providing easy access to markets in Africa, the Middle East and Europe. This was conveyed to the President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud by Ambassador Theshantha Kumarasiri when he presented credentials to the former as Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Federal Republic of Somalia with residence in Addis Ababa. The credential ceremony was held on 21 March 2024 at Villa Somalia in Mogadishu.

President Mohamud was appreciative of the decision made by the Government of Sri Lanka to enhance relations with African countries, including Somalia, in line with its ‘Look Africa’ policy. In light of the strategic location of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean, President Mohamud expressed his keen interest in exploring opportunities for partnerships between Somalia and Sri Lanka.

During the visit to Mogadishu, Ambassador Kumarasiri engaged in a number of discussions with competent authorities of the Government of Somalia and potential private sector entrepreneurs in identified fields of cooperation. Further, technical cooperation in the fields of fisheries, hospitality industry, and agriculture was envisaged.

Ambassador Kumarasiri had a series of cordial discussion with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ali Mohamed Omar, State Minister of Agriculture&Irrigation Asad Abdirisak Mohamed, Director General of the Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy Abdicate Dirshe, Deputy Director General of the Somali Chamber of Commerce and Industry Professor Ciise M. Xalane,  Principal Advisor to the Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy Hassan Haji Ibrahim, Ambassador at Large for Spanish&Portuguese Speaking countries Dr. Omar M. Mohamed together with  a group of potential business personalities in Somalia with a view  to establishing favorable business partnerships and joint ventures between Sri Lanka and Somalia.

During discussions, While taking into consideration that the Blue Economy will be a major contributor to continental transformation in Africa and sustainable growth, two parties agreed to take appropriate action to advance knowledge and cooperation in the fisheries industry between Sri Lanka and Somalia in collaboration with international partners.

It was observed that Somalia’s energy requirements are growing due to increasing development in the country. Accordingly, in light of President Mohamud’s determination of restoring security, peace, and stability in the country, Ambassador Kumarasiri emphasized his aspiration towards establishing partnerships for economic development, particularly on vast untapped sustainable green energy potential in Somalia, through private sector business partnerships and in collaboration with diaspora community of the two countries.

The discussion was also focused on the potential cooperation in the healthcare industry and agricultural sector between Sri Lanka and Somalia. In addition to the above, attention was also drawn to establishing the potential linkages between the Somali Chamber of Commerce&Industry (SCCI), and identified Business Chambers in Sri Lanka in view of transferring knowledge, sharing technological know-how, building partnerships for infrastructure development and providing innovative technological and professional services,&consultation, while supporting and accelerating long-term benefits for the potential industries.

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Addis Ababa closely engages with the competent authorities of the government of Somalia and private sector organizations in order to further enhance the existing bilateral political, trade&commercial and the people-to-people contacts between Sri Lanka and Somalia for the mutual benefits of the people of two countries.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Sri Lanka.

A special pop-up event was held in Nairobi to showcase the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian programme.

On March 2-3, at Mode Café in Nairobi, the “Together We Rise” pop-up served as a platform to highlight the significant contribution Ukraine is making to address food security challenges in Kenya and other recipient countries. Over the course of the weekend, over three hundred people tasted Ukrainian Honey Cake and discovered how Ukraine supports Kenya despite Russian aggression against our country.

The Grain from Ukraine initiative was founded by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) to reduce the harmful impact on the global food system by Russia’s war and attempted naval blockade of Ukrainian ports.

President Zelenskyy has put food security at the heart of the Peace Formula for just and lasting peace, with Grain from Ukraine being one of the elements to guarantee global food security.

Since the initiative was launched in 2022, Grain from Ukraine has distributed 195,000 tonnes of grain and 7,600 tonnes of flour to countries facing food shortages and rising prices because of Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, including 25,000 tonnes to Kenya alone, demonstrating how Grain from Ukraine supports lives and livelihoods across the country.

Apart from the pop-up event, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine donated 825 kg of Ukrainian flour to Kings and Queens of Kibera and Turning Point Trust charity organizations to support their mission to enable children and communities to thrive.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Kenya, His Excellency Andrii Pravednyk, said: “Ukraine is actively seeking a way out of the global food crisis caused by the ongoing war, keeping its promises as a world food guarantor even despite the ongoing aggression against our country. President Zelenskyy’s Grain from Ukraine initiative shows how Ukraine cares about people in Kenya and elsewhere facing food shortages. We are grateful to Mode Café and the people of Kenya for supporting us in bridging the food supply gap created by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. When Ukraine wins, we will not only help feed the world but also contribute to making the world self-reliant in providing itself with agricultural products.”

Malaika, head of the Kings and Quens of Kibera charity organization, said: “Despite the problems that Ukraine is dealing with, war and everything, it’s just incredible that they still find a way to support the rest of the world that is struggling with food shortages.”

Faith, Mode Café owner, said: “Grain from Ukraine is an excellent initiative that is directly helping people in Kenya to thrive and is a cause that is feeding nations and uniting communities around the world.

“We are excited that Mode Café has been able to support the mission of the Ukrainian MFA and its Grain from Ukraine, creating a partnership to bring the great tastes of Ukraine to our friends and customers.”

The event also builds on plans to increase agricultural trade between Ukraine and Kenya, following the visit of a high-level Ukrainian delegation to Nairobi in early February, focusing on how the two countries can work together to build food security for the entire region through technological advances in agriculture.

The Together We Rise event was held to promote the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian programme. It was implemented in cooperation with Freuds Communications and with support of the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth&Development Office.

Watch the video to learn more about the Together We Rise event in Nairobi, Kenya.

More information about Grain from Ukraine:

“Grain from Ukraine” is a humanitarian food programme initiated by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on November 26, 2022, and presented during the first International Summit on Food Security in Kyiv.  

“Grain from Ukraine” is implemented in close partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).  

As part of the programme, Ukraine has sent 195,000 tonnes of wheat and 7,600 tonnes of flour to countries with the most complicated food situation – Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Nigeria, and Yemen.  The “Grain from Ukraine” programme is planned to be expanded to Mozambique / Malawi, Madagascar, Djibouti, Mauritania, Lebanon, and other countries.

The leading cause of the global food crisis is Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The FAO Food Price Index reached a historical high in March 2022, increasing by 34% compared to the previous year.  

Before 2022, Ukraine annually produced food for 400 million people.  

Russia’s aggression and blockade affected the logistics of maritime trade, disrupting the operation of crucial seaports in the global grain trade. Before 2022, Ukraine accounted for approximately 50% of the world market for sunflower and oil, 17% for barley, 14% for corn, and 10% for wheat.

Over 300,000 tons of Ukrainian grain have been destroyed by precise Russian strikes.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.