South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that a delegation of African leaders will be embarking on a diplomatic mission to Russia and Ukraine in order to present a peace plan for the ongoing conflict.
Ramaphosa made the announcement during a media briefing with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
He emphasized the need for African leaders to address the Russia-Ukraine conflict, highlighting the indirect impact it has on the continent.
According to him, “while Africa may not experience direct casualties or infrastructure destruction, the conflict has significant consequences for food security, increased prices of fertilizers, cereals, and fuel, affecting the lives of many Africans.”
Ramaphosa revealed that he has held discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who have expressed their willingness to receive the African heads of state in Moscow and Kyiv respectively.
The peace initiative involves the participation of countries such as Zambia, Senegal, Congo Brazzaville, Uganda, and Egypt, with the talks facilitated by the London-based non-profit organization, the Brazzaville Foundation, known for its conflict resolution efforts.
While noting that preparations for the upcoming meetings are already underway, Ramaphosa added that the United Nations Secretary-General and the African Union have been briefed on the peace plan, demonstrating the commitment to resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict through diplomatic channels.
