Join on WhatsApp
Join on Telegram
Rabat – Four ships loaded with basic and essential foodstuffs left Ukrainian ports after Russia agreed to a safe maritime corridor deal following months of Russian blockades that caused unprecedented spikes in food prices across the world.
The ships left the ports on Sunday to Turkey, where they will be subject to inspection within the framework of an agreement between Russia and Ukraine brokered by Turkey and the UN, according to the BBC.
Two of the ships are expected to land inTurkey while the rest will travel to China and Italy.
The agreement will not only serve Ukraine, but also many other countries, especially net importers of foodstuffs in the Global South, that have experienced far-reaching ramifications of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
More than 20 million tonnes of grain have been stuck in Ukraine due to Russia’s imposed blockade.
Under the UN- and Turkey-brokered safe passage deal, “Russia agreed not to target ships which were in transit, while Ukraine said it would guide vessels through mined waters,” the BBC reported. “The deal, set to last 120 days, can be renewed if both sides agree.”
The first grain ship under the agreement left the Port of Odessa earlier this week on Monday, with many across the world welcoming the news and hailing the safe passage agreement as a “relief to the world.”
Like in many countries, prices in Morocco have been concerningly shaken in recent months due to the far-reaching effects of the Ukraine war.
Since the outbreak of the conflict, Morocco’s government has been citing the alarming state of the global economy as the main reason for recent increases in the price of food and other commodities.
Read Also: Grain Ship Leaves Ukraine, Providing Relief Amid Food Security Crisis
Fuel prices in Morocco reached MAD 17 several weeks ago before lowering to between MAD 15 and MAD 16 in recent days.
But Moroccans are largely unsatisfied with the slight decreases in fuel prices, and many netizens have continued venting their frustration and calling on the government to take bolder action to tackle the severe cost of living crisis facing Moroccan households.
In some circles, the frustration caused by the unprecedented price hikes has essentially turned into a rejection of the government. Over the past weeks, many netizens have called for the departure of Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch with the hashtag “#AkhannouchDegage” (Akhannouch Out).
