On 27 March, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) to the AU and Head of UNOAU met with Andzejs Vilumsons, Under-Secretary of State and Political Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia. They discussed challenges to the multi-lateral system, including as a result of the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine, in violation of the UN Charter, noting that this is a very serious moment in global affairs.

The SRSG to the AU and Head of UNOAU emphasized that the UN Secretary-General has been calling for a cessation of hostilities; and amongst others, his efforts have focused on the Black Sea Grain Initiative which allows for commercial food and fertilizer exports from Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea. The Under-Secretary of State and Political Director, Mr. Vilumsons, also raised the issue of food security and the attempt to restart shipments of fertilizer through the port of Riga. The first shipments are expected to go out in April to Kenya and Nigeria, and there are no political or legal obstacles that should alter this timeframe. They also discussed the Ethiopian peace process, and the need for effective monitoring, noting that peace and justice are not irreconcilable, and to maintain a focus on issues of transitional justice. They also discussed politico-military developments in the Central African Republic.