Press Release - The United Nations' first chartered ship carrying Ukrainian grain, which had been sitting in blockaded silos as a result of Russia's full-scale invasion, set sail on August 16. Free passage of this shipment, destined for Ethiopia, followed concerted pressure by African governments on Russia as well as UN-led negotiations. But diplomatic muscle, including by African countries, is needed over the Ethiopian government's almost two-year-long chokehold on humanitarian assistance to the beleaguered Tigray region
