African countries to send peace mission to Ukraine, Russia

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Tuesday that a group of six African leaders is planning to visit Russia and Ukraine “as soon as is possible” to facilitate a resolution to the ongoing war.

– Key points to note

“Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have agreed to receive the mission and the African heads of state, in both Moscow and Kyiv,” he said Tuesday.

Mr Ramaphosa said he had engaged in separate telephone conversations with Mr Putin and Mr Zelensky over the weekend and both men.

During these discussions, he presented an initiative developed by Zambia, Senegal, the Republic of Congo, Uganda, Egypt, and South Africa.

“I agreed with both President Putin and President Zelensky to commence with preparations for engagements with the African heads of state,” he said.

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Speaking at a press conference during a state visit by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Mr Ramaphosa expressed his hopes for intensive discussions, stating, “We’re hoping we will have intensive discussions.”

He said the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the African Union (AU) have been briefed on the initiative and have welcomed it.

While Mr Ramaphosa did not provide specific details or a timeline for the visit, he underscored the devastating impact of the conflict and the significant suffering experienced by African countries.

He said Africa “is also suffering a great deal” due to the war, particularly through the adverse effects of rising grain prices and disruptions in global trade.”

– Arms supplies

The announcement by Mr Ramaphosa followed remarks made the previous day, where he acknowledged that South Africa had faced “extraordinary pressure” to take sides in the conflict.

This pressure arose after accusations from the United States that Pretoria had supplied weapons to Moscow, potentially breaking its professed neutrality.

Mr Ramaphosa emphasized the urgent need for a peaceful resolution and stressed the importance of mediation to address the ongoing crisis in the region.