Cape Town – The South African government has dismissed suggestions that the country may face international sanctions for its non-aligned stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said that the government supports peace through negotiation and talks between the two countries.
“We are a little bit surprised at this talk of sanctions, which we regard as reckless and as very damaging to our already ailing and struggling economy. We find this talk of sanctions as being purely alarmist and we find it to be quite undermining to South Africa’s sovereignty and the stability of our economy,” said Magwenya during an address to the media at the Union Buildings on Monday.
Magwenya said there is no evidence of any country or international body, including the United States, considering sanctions against South Africa.
He reiterated that South Africa has taken a non-aligned position and has not provided weapons to any party involved in the conflict.
“There is no evidence whatsoever to point to any emergence of sanctions from any country or even the United Nations Security Council, which is the only authority to institute global sanctions.
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“There is no such talk. We’ve had, as a government, several bilateral discussions with the US government and there has been no suggestion that the US will consider applying sanctions to South Africa,” Magwenya said.
He added: “South Africa has taken a non-aligned stance on the conflict in Ukraine. South Africa has not participated in arming any of the parties that are involved in that conflict. On the contrary, South Africa has taken it upon itself to mobilise support and to mobilise engagement that will result in a peaceful resolution to this conflict.
“South Africa has been, from the onset, consistent to call for peace and to call for the parties involved in the conflict to sit down at the negotiation table. President Ramaphosa has reportedly stated that there is no conflict that will end with a winner or a loser, and that only a peaceful negotiation and resolution will see peace in that region.”
Magwenya also announced that a delegation of African Heads of State will travel to Ukraine and Russia to participate in a peace mission, although specific dates were not disclosed due to security concerns.
“Due to the sensitivity of the security situation on the ground, particularly in the Ukraine, we are unable to confirm publicly the dates in which the delegation of the African Heads of State will travel to both countries.
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“We will most likely confirm on the day that peace talks are taking place,” he said.
The mission has received support from various quarters, and President Cyril Ramaphosa has engaged in consultations with the mission participants, as well as with the heads of states involved in the conflict and other relevant parties.
“There is a great deal of commitment from all Heads of State involved to see through this mission. President Ramaphosa has participated in a number of consultations with the participants with the mission participants, as well as consultations with both Heads of States that are involved in the conflict, the UN General Secretary as well as Heads of State that are members of BRICS.
“There have a number of consultations with regard to this peace mission, with the aim of getting some kind of support to the mission but also alignment,” he said
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
