Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed the country’s non-aligned stance on global conflicts, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Delivering the budget vote of the Presidency in Parliament on Wednesday, Ramaphosa committed to personally traveling to both countries in an effort to promote a peaceful solution to the war.
He criticised the United Nations (UN) for not granting Africa a permanent seat on the Security Council and emphasised that South Africa’s foreign policy is guided by multilateralism and respect for international law.
Ramaphosa clarified that South Africa’s non-aligned position on the Russian-Ukrainian conflict should not be mistaken for neutrality, stating that conflicts of this nature should be resolved in the manner taught by Nelson Mandela.
“We did say and we say it unambiguously, even now, that conflicts of this nature need to be resolved in the way we were taught by the father of the nation, Nelson Mandela,” EWN quoted him as saying.
Ramaphosa said he will be sending ministers as envoys to G7 countries to clarify South Africa’s position on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
South Africa was not invited to the recent G7 Summit in Japan, marking the first time since Ramaphosa assumed office.
The president also announced that he, along with leaders from five other African countries, will be undertaking peace missions to Russia and Ukraine.
He said that South Africa was is working to promote a more inclusive, representative and equitable world order.
“In this regard I will be sending once again the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, the Minister of Trade and Competition, Minister of Finance and Minister in the Presidency as my envoys to the G7 countries to explain our peace mission and to deal with various diplomatic matters,” said Ramaphosa, according to SABC.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
