Cape Town – International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Naledi Pandor, has expressed deep concern to her Ukrainian counterpart, Minister Dmytro Kubela, about the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the humanitarian crisis it has caused.
She mentioned South Africa’s commitment to the Africa Peace Initiative and its focus on peaceful conflict resolution through diplomacy and the principles of the United Nations Charter.
“We are in discussion with our own leader, President Cyril Ramaphosa, to look at how we can have a greater impetus to the Africa Peace Initiative to address our concerns with respect to this war,” she said on Monday.
She continued: “All conflict has devastating effects on the countries involved. The effects are felt both politically, as well as economically and in terms of the development opportunities for often innocent citizens.
“As a continent, we continue to strive to build peace; strive to work toward developing a culture of peaceful resolution of conflict, and the promotion of the importance of diplomacy and peace as the route to resolving any dispute.”
ALSO READ | SA to recall all diplomats from Israel
Pandor was holding political consultations with Kubela in Pretoria, during which both leaders also provided updates to the media.
She also urged the international community to call for an immediate end to hostilities in the Middle East, emphasising the importance of respecting territorial integrity.
“Minister, we’re meeting at a time when the world is experiencing a grave escalation of the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The carnage and senseless destruction of property, as well as the untold pain and suffering on all sides, should be condemned unreservedly,” Pandor said on Monday.
She said that the ongoing events served as a reminder to South Africa of its past suffering under the apartheid regime.
“Therefore, we call for an immediate end of hostilities, unconditional provision of medical supplies and humanitarian aid. It has thus become more urgent that the relevant UN resolutions and decisions are fully executed to ensure peaceful co-existence between Israel and Palestine for sustained peace. [It] is our belief, as President Mandela, said that the struggle of South Africa is not complete if the people of Palestine are not free,” the minister said.
[WATCH] “The nature of response by Israel has become one of collective punishment, which falls fully outside of the practice of… international human rights law,” -International Relations Minister Dr Naledi Pandor explains why SA is recalling diplomats from Israel. pic.twitter.com/6irLpBvT6r
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) November 6, 2023
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
