Cape Town – The Nelson Mandela Foundation has called on South Africa to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, saying that the government should call for a ceasefire in the battle.
President Vladimir Putin recently ordered a “special military operation” in Ukraine after formally recognising two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, saying that there was a need to demilitarise the country.
The Russian attack on Ukraine killed dozens, as airstrikes hit military installations and ground forces moved in from the north, south, and east of Ukraine.
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In a statement over the weekend, the foundation said it urged “the South African government to show leadership at this critical moment and press for a ceasefire so that rigorous negotiations on the future can be mapped out. We have indicated to the government our availability to assist in this regard.
“A lesson to be relearned is that whether we are talking about Ukraine or about the many other crises around the world, when the rule of law is cast aside and strategies of violence adopted, the resulting misery is far more devastating among weak and vulnerable countries. It is imperative that channels for peacemaking, negotiation and dialogue be pursued urgently and relentlessly”.
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The foundation’s remarks came as there were mounting calls for South Africa to clarify its stance over the ongoing conflict.
Acting US Ambassador to South Africa Todd Haskell said during a media briefing last week that South Africa’s neutral stance on the conflict suggested that the government was taking aside.
“We think it’s really important when we look at this unprovoked aggression, this attack against democracy, Russia’s war against Ukraine, Putin’s war on Ukraine. It’s important to say this is wrong,” said Haskell.
The Germany Embassy in South Africa also took to Twitter and wrote:
“Sorry, but we can’t stay silent on this one, it’s just far too cynical. What Russia is doing in Ukraine is slaughtering innocent children, women and men for its own gain. It’s definitely not “fighting Nazism”. Shame on anyone who’s falling for this. (Sadly, we’re kinda experts on Nazism.).”
Sorry, but we can’t stay silent on this one, it’s just far too cynical. What ?? is doing in ?? is slaughtering innocent children, women and men for its own gain. It’s definitely not “fighting Nazism”. Shame on anyone who’s falling for this. (Sadly, we’re kinda experts on Nazism.)
— Germany in SA (@GermanEmbassySA) March 5, 2022
The Germany statement was in response to a tweet by the Russian Embassy in South Africa in which it thanked South Africans for their support.
“We have received a great number of letters of solidarity from South Africans, both individuals and organisations. We appreciate your support and glad you decided to stand with us today, when Russia, like 80 years ago, is fighting Nazism in Ukraine,” said the embassy.
According to The Citizen, earlier this week, South Africa abstained from voting on a United Nations (UN) General Assembly resolution condemning the Russian invasion.
But the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) Clayson Monyela told East Coast Radio that : “Abstaining doesn’t mean we are endorsing what is happening… abstaining means we don’t take any sides.”
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
