South African President Cyril Ramaphosa hinted on Sunday, May 14, that some African countries are considering a peaceful solution to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
According to local radio SABC, the leader said during a visit to the province of KwaZulu-Natal (southeast), that “a group of African countries are working quietly to find the best way for Africa to take the initiative to try to convince Russia and Ukraine to start negotiations to end the crisis”.
He also spoke of phone calls held “regularly” with the Russian and Ukrainian heads of state with a view to peacefully ending the conflict between their countries.
Since the start of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, South Africa has consistently refused to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, emphasizing its neutrality and preference for dialogue as a means to end the war. . But this position is not to the liking of Western countries.
Pretoria and Moscow have enjoyed good relations for many years. Some observers assume that South Africa’s attachment to Russia finds its explanation in the support that Moscow gave to the fight of the African National Congress (ANC, in power today) against apartheid.
By OMA Newsletter N° 1172 of 15/05/2023
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
